Lac La Biche County officials are reminding all residents that fire bans and ATV restrictions are still in effect for the entire municipality and the Forest Protection Area.
"Conditions have been hot, dry, and windy over the past few days, and the coming week shows no signs of change," says Lac La Biche County spokesperson Jihad Mohgrabi. "Over the last 24 hours in Alberta, six out-of-control wildfires have started. And in the Lac La Biche Forest Protection Area alone, we have five wildfires that Alberta Forestry resources are currently holding."
No evacuation centre requests
As other fires rage across the province, including fires that have affected residents of northern communities like High Level, Paddle Prairie and Wasbasca, the Lac La Biche area has yet to be instructed to offer any evacuation services. Two years ago, during the larger forest fire that swept across northeastern Alberta and forced tens of thousands of residents from the Fort McMurray area, Lac La Biche County was designated by the provincial government to be an official evacuation centre and emergency location.
Tables of clothing, luggage, food and drinks, toiletries and many other items were ready for the evacuees of the 2016 Fort McMurray fire as the Bold Center was transformed into an emergency shelter and headquarters.
"At this time, Lac La Biche County will not be opening a reception centre for evacuees from other areas," said Moghrabi. "The County can only do this when requested by the Government of Alberta. However, if you know of any evacuees in the area, please ask them to call 780-310-4455 for more information about resources available to them."
Locally, Moghrabi said the focus is on prevention and education when it comes to keeping the immediate area free from the threat of fires.
"It’s extremely important that every resident respects the fire ban and off-highway vehicle (OHV) restriction. In these conditions, even a small spark from an OHV’s exhaust or a campfire could cause a major incident, stretching Lac La Biche County and Alberta Forestry’s resources to their limits," he said.
