Recent rainfall has slowed wildfire activity across Alberta, allowing several communities to lift evacuation orders and bringing some relief to firefighting efforts.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 57 wildfires are burning within the Forest Protection Area. Twenty-two are out of control, nine are being held and 26 are under control.

Nine new wildfires have started since Monday and more than 660,000 hectares have burned this year..

More than 1,500 firefighters from Alberta, other provinces, the United States and Australia are working across the province. Air tankers, helicopters — including night vision-equipped aircraft — and heavy equipment continue to be deployed.

Evacuation orders and alerts

As of June 17, the following changes and conditions apply:

• Evacuation orders lifted:

  • Chateh (Dene Tha’ First Nation): Order lifted June 17. All residents may return home but should stay prepared to leave again if necessary.

  • Town of Swan Hills: Alert lifted June 16.

  • County of Grande Prairie No. 1: Order lifted June 13 for most areas. An evacuation alert remains for residents north of Township Road 710 to 740, from the B.C. border to Range Road 132.

  • Lac La Biche County: Alert lifted June 13 for southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake.

• Evacuation orders still in place:

  • Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council:

    • Loon Lake 235

    • Peerless Lake

    • Trout Lake

    • Reception centre: 10451 170 Street, Edmonton

  • Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17:

    • Red Earth Creek

      • Reception centre: Baytex Energy Centre, 9810 73 Avenue, Peace River

    • Chipewyan Lake

      • Reception centre: Lakeview Sports Centre, 102 Opportunity Drive, Wabasca-Desmarais

• Evacuation orders updated:

  • Saddle Hills County (June 13): Order expanded to include:

    • Township Road 794 to Highway 680 (Township Road 802)

    • Range Road 95 to Highway 725

    • Crown Land north of Township Road 800 and south of Blueberry Mountain Grazing Reserve

    • Surrounding areas remain under evacuation alert.

• Evacuation alerts remain for:

  • Hamlet of Marten Beach – Municipal District of Lesser Slave River

  • Hawk Hills area – County of Northern Lights

  • County of Grande Prairie No. 1: An evacuation alert remains for residents north of Township Road 710 to 740, from the B.C. border to Range Road 132.

Up-to-date details are available at Alberta Emergency. Residents are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app.

Fire bans and safety

A fire ban remains in effect for the High Level Forest Area and parts of the Fort McMurray and Calgary forest regions.

This includes prohibitions on outdoor wood fires, charcoal briquettes, fireworks and exploding targets. Existing permits are suspended.

Municipal fire bans are issued locally. Current restrictions are listed at alberta.ca/fire-bans.

Anyone spotting wildfire smoke or flames should call 310-FIRE (310-3473).

FireSmart principles can help reduce wildfire risks around homes and property — more information is available at FireSmart Alberta.

Air quality

Wildfire smoke continues to affect air quality in some areas, although this does not always indicate nearby fires.

Health guidance is available through Wildfire Smoke Information.

Roads

Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake is closed.

Highway 671/Kelly Lake Road near the B.C. border has reopened.

The most current travel information is on 511 Alberta.

Health

Alberta Health Services is restoring acute care at Swan Hills Healthcare Centre after a short evacuation.

Schools

Six schools remain closed due to evacuations:

• Dene Tha’ Community School, Chateh

• Kateri School, Trout Lake

• Elizabeth Quintal School, Peerless Lake

• Clarence Jaycox School, Loon Lake

• Red Earth Creek School

• Chipewyan Lake School

Swan Hills School reopened June 9.

One child-care program, Opportunity Childcare in Red Earth Creek, remains closed.

Courts

Courthouses in Chateh and Red Earth Creek are closed. Visit the Alberta Courts website for updates.