An update on regional wildfires

The Tommy Lakes wildfire has reportedly been quite active over the last 24 hours, as the Wildfire Management Branch says it has stretched to 4,400 hectares from the south and west side, remaining at 0 per cent contained.

Fire Information Officer, Jill Kelsh says the incident commander has been on scene everyday and has been talking to those impacted by the fire.

“There isn’t anybody in the immediate area for an evacuation order. The people that were closest have actually self-evacuated themselves already,” Kelsh said. “Right now, a lot of the oil and gas are just closing a lot of their compressor stations and getting out of the area.”

This fire is being addressed in a modified response, which means it’s actively monitored but not actively suppressed, as 1 helicopter remains on scene.

Meanwhile, the branch says the active Mount McAllister fire, estimated at 19,000 hectares, experienced a wind flare-up yesterday, aggressively moving in a north easterly direction toward Boomerang Lake.

Air tankers were used in the morning to establish a retardant guard, but the fire moved across this line and continued 400 – 500 metres ahead of the front.

The branch goes on to say fire crews are currently focusing on protecting infrastructure and private property, as well as worker safety. They’re also attempting to contain and control the fire through a combination of attacks, which are “matched appropriately to fire behaviour, site location, and safety conditions.”

The fire is still reported at 30 per cent contained.

The wildfire is being matched with 216 firefighters, 20 pieces heavy equipment, 14 helicopters and an Australian Incident Management Team.

Finally, Kelsh says the Red Deer Creek fire is finally under control.

“Red Deer is pretty much, it’s not out, but it’s off the books,” Kelsh explained. “It hasn’t been active in days, well, hopefully a week now.”

As such, the area restriction for the Red Deer Creek wildfire is now fully lifted.