2 weeks Ago By Ricky Leong
A windswept wildfire east of Elk Island National Park, behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, triggered evacuations Friday night, shutting down Highway 16 at the park, say RCMP. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP just after 7 p.m.
Friday said evacuations started for those living on Range Road 195, north of Highway 16. “Anyone with residences not yet affected by the evacuation, but living in the area, is advised to prepare an evacuation kit and to be ready should the need arise to spread the evacuation zone,” said Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, in the evening news release. About an hour earlier, around 5:30 p.
m., Fort Saskatchewan RCMP learned that a grass fire had started East of Elk Island National Park, behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, about 50 kilometres east of Edmonton. The fire was spreading and not considered under control, said Mounties.
Highway 16 was shut down between the entrance to Elk Island National Park and Range Road 194 in both directions, with future closures to be considered. “The public is asked to avoid the area and find alternate routes of travel,” said RCMP. Just before 10 p.
m., the fire was deemed under control. “The evacuation order has been lifted and Highway 16 is now open for travel.
Emergency crews will still be in the area fighting what is left of the fires and the public is asked to remain vigilant and to please avoid any actions that could contribute to lowering the effectiveness of their work,” said RCMP. In the 7 p.m.
update, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP confirmed that the fire had spread to structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. “The situation is evolving rapidly and the extent of the damages can’t be confirmed at this time,” said RCMP, supplying a number of photographs from the site, showing extensive damage to multiple structures. RelatedNew Ukrainian village homestead honours all newcomers, says deputy premier'Foggy conditions': Five bison killed in collision at Elk Island National ParkEdmonton conducts its first-ever prescribed burn to mitigate wildfire riskTackling wildfires before they arrive: Mitigation efforts underway in Banff, Lake Louise'Wildfires remain a major concern': Province making preparations for 2025 wildfire season Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.
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