UPDATE JUNE 4 6:30 PM
June 4, 2019 ( 6:30 p.m.) – Firefighters won the battle against the wind this evening. After wind pushed the fire over the north and south fire breaks, fire crews pushed the fire back and contained it. The fire is now under control.
Crews will be working on hotspots overnight. Firefighters and equipment from Iron River and La Corey were sent home around 5 p.m. today. Rain is in the forecast for this evening.
Melvin asks residents to continue to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work. The boat launches at Vezeau Beach, Turcotte, Birch Grove, Bonnyville Beach and North Shore Heights are closed.
Range Road 474 remains closed at Highways 28 and 660.
Continue monitoring the M.D.’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MDBonnyville) and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates.
END OF UPDATE
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UPDATE JUNE 4 2:30 PM
June 4, 2019 (2:30 p.m.) – Winds have started spot fires within the Cat fire break. Residents in the Town of Bonnyville will notice more smoke in the air due to this. The fire is under control and is being held at 110 hectares.
Winds have also made the fire jump both the north and south Cat guards. Crews jumped on the breaks quickly, and have reclaimed the North Fire Break, and are working on the South Fire Break.
All of the campgrounds in the area have been shut down and evacuated, including the M.D.’s Pelican Point campground, the Franchere Provincial Recreation Area, and private campgrounds. There are a couple of residents in Franchere that have also been evacuated.
“Two more aircraft from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry are on their way,” says Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Chief Jay Melvin. “Residents can expect an increase in air traffic over Moose Lake as we battle this fire.”
M.D. Reeve Greg Sawchuk went to check out the fire scene Tues., June 4.
“It’s very challenging with the current wind situation,” Sawchuk said. “I was out there and, at the time, firefighters observed a change in the wind direction.”
Sawchuk has nothing but praise for the fire crews working to combat the fire.
“It’s very important to thank the first responders for knocking the fire back so quickly yesterday,” he said. “We are thankful for the cooperation and combined efforts of Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, M.D. staff, private contractors and crews from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in fighting this fire.”
Sawchuk also urges everyone to remember there is a Fire and Off-Highway Vehicle ban in effect for the entire M.D.
Melvin asks residents to continue to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work. The boat launches at Vezeau Beach, Turcotte, Birch Grove, Bonnyville Beach and North Shore Heights are closed.
Range Road 474 remains closed at Highways 28 and 660.
At the current time, no donations or resources for firefighters are needed. We appreciate the generosity of our residents. Should donations be required, a list will be posted on the M.D.’s Facebook page, website and Twitter.
Continue monitoring the M.D.’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MDBonnyville) and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates.
END OF UPDATE
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UPDATE JUNE 4 11:00 AM
June 4, 2019 (11 a.m.) – Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief Jay Melvin got a clearer picture of the Moose Lake fire this morning.
Melvin did an aerial inspection around 8 a.m. It revealed the fire is being held at 110 hectares (272 acres). While there are some concerns due to wind, he says the fire can now be considered under control. There are no evacuation orders in place.
There are over 20 pieces of equipment on site, including fire trucks, heavy equipment, quads and more. There are also two helicopters dropping water and four, eight-man ground crews working on hot spots. There are 45-60 people on the ground currently fighting the fire.
Continue monitoring the M.D.’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MDBonnyville) and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates. Photos from Melvin’s aerial inspection can be found on the M.D. Facebook page.
Melvin asks residents to continue to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work. The boat launches at Vezeau Beach, Turcotte, Birch Grove, Bonnyville Beach and North Shore Heights have been closed.
Range Road 474 remains closed at Highways 28 and 660.
At the current time, no donations or resources for firefighters are needed. We appreciate the generosity of our residents. Should donations be required, a list will be posted on the M.D.’s Facebook page, website and Twitter.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATE JUNE 4 10:30 AM
Moose Lake boat launches now closed.
The following boat launches on Moose Lake are closed to allow for aerial firefighting efforts:
These boat launches will be closed until further notice.
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATED JUNE 4 AT 8 AM
June 4, 2019 (8 a.m.) – The wildfire burning near Pelican Point on Moose Lake is currently being held according to Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief Jay Melvin.
Overnight, crews established 50-foot Cat guards on both the north and south sides of the fire. At one point, the fire jumped the line, but operators got on it quickly and contained it. Crews are currently creating a 25-foot Cat guard south of the fire. Once that guard is done, fixed wing aircraft will start water bombing the north perimeter close to the lake.
Following the aircraft attack, there will be four, eight-men teams working from the lakeside and Range Road 474 attacking the fire, working their way towards each other.
Fire crews from Bonnyville, Glendon, La Corey and Iron River as well as Alberta Agriculture and Forestry are on scene. There are also M.D. staff and private heavy equipment operators working on the Cat guards.
Continue monitoring the M.D.’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MDBonnyville) and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates.
Melvin asks residents to continue to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work.
The fire is currently being held at 90 hectares (or 222 acres). Rge. Rd. 474 remains closed at Hwys. 28 and 660.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATED AT 11 P.M.
June 3, 2019 (11 p.m.) – Fire crews will remain on site, overnight, of the fire currently burning on Range Road 474 between Highway 28 and Secondary Highway 660.
Crews, including M.D. employees and private contractors, are working on the north and south side of the fire, pushing the 50-foot fire break towards Moose Lake.
Aircraft stopped aerial firefighting efforts at 10:15 p.m., as it got dark.
There is no evacuation order in place.
Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief Jay Melvin urges residents to monitor the M.D.’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MDBonnyville) and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates.
“I appreciate the hard work of all of our firefighters, crews from Alberta Forestry and appreciate residents giving us room to work,” Melvin said. He anticipates another full day of firefighting efforts tomorrow.
Melvin asks residents to stay away from the area, and stay off of Moose Lake to let fire crews continue their work.
The fire is currently 80 to 90 hectares (or 197 to 222 acres) in size and is still classified as out of control. Rge. Rd. 474 remains closed at Hwys. 28 and 660.
END OF UPDATE
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June 3, 2019 – At approximately 5 p.m. Monday evening fire crews were dispatched to a fire on Range Road 474 between Highway 28 and Secondary Highway 660 (please see attached map for location).
The fire started in the east ditch, just off of Rge. Rd. 474, and started moving in a south east direction. The fire spread rapidly due to tinder dry conditions in the Moose Lake forest area.
Firefighters from Bonnyville, Glendon, La Corey and Iron River are on scene, as well as staff from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. There are 80 to 100 firefighters, 12 fire trucks, six fixed wing aircraft and three helicopters currently working on the fire. Crews will continue to work through the night to contain the fire, which is currently classified as out of control. There are natural fire barriers in place – the lake, as well as the Range Road. Firefighters are also creating fire breaks.
Rge. Rd. 474 is closed at Hwys. 28 and 660. RCMP is on scene doing traffic control.
There is no order to evacuate.
Melvin asks everyone to stay away from the area to allow crews to work. He also asks that people stay off of Moose Lake so the firefighting aircraft can pick up water.
Please monitor the M.D.’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MDBonnyville) and website (www.md.bonnyville.ab.ca) for updates.