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County Fire Crews Continue to Fight Fire near Jackfish and Camping Lake

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County Fire Crews Continue to Fight Fire near Jackfish and Camping Lake

Update on fire from 3:45pm May 5th.
  • The fire in the area near Jackfish and Camping Lake has received no change in size currently. The fire continues to remain south of the river.
  • Fire Crews from around the County, Alberta Forestry Crews, public works, and volunteer firefighters continue to work in shifts to hold the fire. Crews and County staff will continue to work diligently through the weekend and will provide updates as they happen.
  • Air support has been utilized throughout the day, including helicopters and waterbombers.
  • The evacuation notice for Range road 214 & 215, north of Township Road is still in effect, as well as the prepare to evacuate notice for everyone else in the area between Jackfish Lake and west of the Athabasca River. If you have been evacuated and you haven’t registered, please do so at the FCSS office located at 3598– 48th Avenue, Athabasca, Alberta, T9S 1T9. The FCSS office can be reached at 780-675-2623 if you have any questions or require other supports.
Please avoid the area. Fire crews require the space to effectively and safely do the work that is required.
We would like to thank the tireless efforts of all of the crews and volunteer firefighters that are helping in this situation. Your work is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Late on Thursday May 4th the fire that started in the area of Jackfish Lake began to move North-West towards Camping Lake.  The trees in the area were budding which caused embers to be carried with the wind across Camping Lake resulting in the fire to start on farmland west of Camping Lake.

At 11:21PM an evacuation notice was sent to everyone residing on Range Road 214 and 215, north of Township Road 674 to the Athabasca River and were instructed to register at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex. A notice was sent to the rest of the residents between Jackfish Lake and the Athabasca River to the west to prepare for a possible evacuation at the same time. 27 individuals in the area had registered at the evacuation centre. As of 10am May 5th, 2023, the evacuation order and notice of possible evacuation are still in effect.

As of 10am the only structural damage was a single cabin. No residential or farm buildings have been lost.

Ground crews and volunteer firefighters from the Athabasca, Colinton, and Boyle stations, as well as crews from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and municipal public works crews, have been working on rotation to hold the fire since Thursday afternoon.  Ground crews are working with CAT vehicles and dozers to create and maintain fireguards ahead and around the fire to help prevent further spread. Ground crews will continue to create and maintain fireguards and battle hotspots today. There will be two helicopters dropping buckets on the fire continually throughout the day.

If you have been evacuated and you haven’t registered, please do so at the FCSS office located at
3598– 48th Avenue
Athabasca, Alberta
T9S 1T9.

The FCSS office can be reached at 780-675-2623 if you have any questions or require other supports.  At this point FCSS is not requesting donations.