With record temperatures set in July, there has been a substantial increase in the number of wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia. The wildfires have also led to air quality advisories in many parts of both provinces.
What you Need to Know
Assess your Current Circumstances
Please assess your current circumstances regarding wildfire activity, possible road closures, evacuation alerts, and air quality, and as a team, have a safety briefing meeting to see if you should temporarily leave the field.
Wildfire Activity
Continually monitor these sites to stay informed of changing wildfire activity and be prepared to react quickly if circumstances change.
The Alberta Wildfire Map provides detailed information on those wildfires that are noted as "out-of-control", "being held" and "in control". For details on major fires causing evacuations, click on the bottom tab of the map “Wildfires of Note”. For fire restrictions or bans, click on the bottom right-hand corner.
AEA will provide alerts of evacuation orders and alerts so download the app on your phone.
If you are in British Columbia, have the BC Wildfire Map availabe and go to the EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation orders and other notices of emergencies.
For those undertaking research in other jurisdictions, ensure you have access to wildfire information and evacuation protocols for that jurisdiction.
Road Closures Related to Wildfire Activities
Multiple road closures have been instituted due to wildfire activity. Monitor the following sites to stay current with road closures.
511 Alberta
On the left-hand side, they have a pop-up that identifies road closures related to wildfire activity.
Drive BC
Review your FAP for alternate evacuation routes in the event of road closures. Always ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
Evacuation Alerts and Orders
If you are in or near an area where an evacuation alert has been issued, be prepared to evacuate if an order is issued. If an order is issued you MUST leave your field location and take the route to an evacuation/reception centre as advised through the evacuation order. Once you are in a secure evacuation/reception center notify your supervisor.
At the time of this writing, the following evacuation orders are in place in Alberta:
Jasper and Jasper National Park: The Town of Jasper has declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) and issued an Evacuation Order. At time of writing, Hwy 16 is intermittently closed at Hwy 5 and Hwy 40 and Hwy 93 is closed at Saskatchewan Crossing. The majority of traffic is being directed west on Highway 16.
Only when roadside fire conditions permit, will small groups of escorted vehicles be directed east on Highway 16.
John D'Or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River
Janvier Reserve
Chipewyan Lake
The Hamlet of Janvier is under an evacuation alert.
Several evacuations in BC are listed here.
If you have not left for the Field
As a result of the wildfire activity and increased risks, some field researchers working in Northern Alberta have returned.
For those researchers who have not left for the field but are planning to conduct research in an area where wildfires are active, reassess whether you should postpone your trip.
If you assess that it is safe to proceed, before departing review your Field Activity Plan, discuss the plan with your team and ensure the FAP addresses the monitoring of wildfire activity, road closures, evacuation alerts and orders and air quality advisories.
In our April newsletter, we listed the controls for the hazards of wildfires, so please review those and incorporate them into your FAP if you haven't already done so.
