Ft. Mac Fire Update: Containment Efforts Continue Amidst Favorable Weather Conditions

Photo Source: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

The wildfire near Fort McMurray remains stable, with its size unchanged at 19,820 hectares. Ground operations persist in constructing a containment line to establish a fire break between the Athabasca River and the Horse River. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the spread of the fire, which currently sits approximately 4.5 kilometers from the Hwy 63/Hwy 881 intersection and 5.5 kilometers from the Fort McMurray landfill site.

As of May 16, 2,597 evacuees and 379 pets were registered at reception centers in Lac La Biche, Cold Lake, and Edmonton. In Cold Lake, the evacuation reception centre has changed from the Agriplex to the Cold Lake and District FCSS (5220 54 Street)

Update from Fort McMurray

Despite the challenges posed by the fire’s proximity to key areas, today’s weather forecast brings hope for containment efforts. With a temperature of 7 degrees Celsius and 5 to 15 millimeters of rain, fire behavior is expected to be subdued. Northeast winds at speeds of 20 kilometers per hour further support containment efforts.

Last night’s showers contributed to precipitation levels, with 8.7 millimeters recorded at the closest weather station and 10.3 millimeters at the Fort McMurray International Airport. The forecast for the next few days shows continued precipitation, with values ranging from 20 to 80 millimeters by Tuesday. These weather conditions provide favorable conditions for firefighters battling the blaze.

In light of the wildfire and evacuation orders, Canada Post has announced that mail delivery in Fort McMurray will be temporarily halted, with mail securely held until further notice. Residents are urged to follow trusted sources of information, such as RMWB.ca and Alberta Wildfire, for the latest updates. Mental health resources and FAQs related to the wildfire can be found at rmwb.ca/alerts.