For now, no community has been ordered to evacuate. People were told to prepare for a potential evacuation shortly before 7 p.m. Friday. When the alert went out, the wildfire was burning out of control 25 kilometres southwest of Fort McMurray and covered 200 hectares.
“At this time, these communities are not at risk and we are using abundance of caution to ensure residents are prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” said Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz in a Friday evening video posted to the RMWB’s social media accounts.
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Even before an alert was issued, smoke on the horizon and photos of the smoke on social media prompted a rush to gas stations and grocery stores across Fort McMurray. Those lines spilled onto the streets once the alert was sent to every smart phone in the city. Staff at some locations went outside to control the lineups.
Matt Dekker, who moved to Fort McMurray from Calgary this past fall, said he “saw some of the worst behaviour out there” as he was driving home. He said his girlfriend called the lineups at gas stations “a zoo.” Dekker missed the 2016 Horse River Wildfire, but on Friday he went to Calgary with his girlfriend to be safe.
“Whatever happens, happens. I’m pretty calm, for the most part,” said Dekker. “If something does happen, I just want everyone to get out. I’m not tied down to the material things, it’s the people.”
The municipality advises people to:
- Follow rmwb.ca/alerts for evacuation information
- Be aware and stay informed by following official and trusted channels such as alberta.ca/wildfire-status
- Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts App
- Follow local media sources
- Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
- Prepare an emergency kit for your household
- Make an emergency plan for your household
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vmcdermott@postmedia.com
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