UPDATE | MAY 5, 2023, 2100 HOURS PDT

Due to extreme conditions in the Province of Alberta in Canada, several large incidents have occurred across the area. This is the Friday update for all current wildfires and other incidents:

EDSON FOREST FIRE

Photo Credit | Alberta Wildfire

An out-of-control wildfire is burning in the Edson Forest about 34 km (almost 10 miles) southeast of the town of Edson. It is approximately 19,000 ha (46,950 acres) This fire ignited from an unknown cause on Friday, May 5, 2023.

According to AB Fire Officials: “The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area is now EXTREME due to dry vegetation, no snow coverage and very little precipitation. Dry grass can catch easily and burn quickly. Always keep watch of your surroundings and avoid work that can cause friction, hot exhaust or spark near dry vegetation. Since January 1, 2023, there have been 32 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 3,802 ha.*Mutual aid wildfires are not calculated in the Edson Forest Area total. “

EWF026 

The fire was detected on May 3 and is located 13 km north of Hwy 16, east of the McLeod River. The fire is classified as under control and estimated to be 1 ha in size. 

EWF025 

The fire was detected on May 2 and is located 12 km west of the Pembina River, 14 km south of Highway 16. The fire is classified as under control and estimated to be 1.80 ha in size. 

EWF021 

The fire was detected on April 30 and is located in Marlboro. The fire is now classified as under control and estimated to be 8.72 ha in size.

EWF015 was detected on April 29 and is located 3.5 km northeast of Peers. It is now classified as under control and estimated to be 46.57 ha in size. 

WCU001 was detected on April 29 and was classified as being held on May 3, but has seen increased activity over the past few days. This wildfire is located approximately 9 km southeast of Evansburg. AB Wildfire is assisting Parkland County. Alberta Wildfire has firefighters, a helicopter and heavy equipment assigned to the wildfire. A dozer group and heavy equipment are on site. The last reported size is 503 ha.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog