Wabasca evacuation rises to 3750; 66 wildfires burning across Alberta, 20 out-of-control – Edmonton Journal

May 26, 2015

Lightning was expected to spark new blazes overnight and thousands of people remain under evacuation, officials said Tuesday, as hot and dry conditions feed dozens of wildfires across Alberta, including one burning out of control near Cold Lake oil and gas sites.

Though two threatened communities saw their evacuation orders lifted, the number of wildfires in the province jumped to 65 Tuesday as weeks of dry conditions combined with lightning strikes placed most of the province under high to extreme fire threat.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier, sworn in only 48 hours earlier, said he has been receiving daily briefings as the wildfire threat unfolds. “Our first priority is to ensure that everyone is safe and that their immediate needs are being met,” Carlier said. “There are 1,600 hardworking, dedicated and experienced people on the ground fighting fires and working to support families who had to leave their homes.”

Read More: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/wildfires+burning+Alberta+control/11083554/story.html