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May 15 Update

Acden employees,

 

We’re thinking of you and your loved ones - please remember to take care of your mental health. EFAP is there to support you by calling 1.866.644.0326 and providing policy #0135771.

 

A kind reminder that if you have evacuated from Fort McMurray, please check in with us so we know you are safe. Register with the team at Acden here. When you return to Fort McMurray, please ensure you alert your supervisor so we can update your status.

 

Please note that Acden HQ (220 Taiganova Crescent) is scheduled to remain closed until Tuesday. We will re-evaluate the opening date based on the wildfire situation.

 

Below is a summary of the most recent update from the RMWB:

 

Wildfire Update:

 

  • MWF017 is classified as out of control at 20,940 hectares.

  • As of 2 p.m. today, the closest point of the fire is about 5.5 km from the Fort McMurray landfill and 4.5 km from the intersection of highways 63 and 881.

  • Three night vision helicopters worked overnight to drop water on the fire’s active edges and firefighters patrolled from the highway to monitor fire activity.

  • Less than 1 mm of rain fell on the wildfire overnight. Active fire behaviour is expected today but should be less than yesterday, thanks to cooler temperatures and weaker winds.

  • Winds from the northeast at 10 km/h are expected today, which should push the fire away from Fort McMurray and Highway 63. A high of 16C is expected.

  • Firefighters are back on the fire line today and are working on a containment line. Helicopters and airtankers are dropping water and retardant on the active edges of the fire. Heavy equipment operators are building fire guards to the southwest of Fort McMurray.

  • There are 117 firefighters and 21 helicopters are currently assigned to the wildfire.

  • Firefighters are working on structure protection in the Prairie Creek and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods. Structure protection was installed on the Rickards Landing Industrial Park, Gregoire Lake Estates and Gregoire Lake 176. A plan is in place for structure protection along Amoco road, if required.

  • PLEASE NOTE: A fire ban and off-highway vehicle restriction is now in effect for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.

 

Evacuation Alert/Evacuation Order:

 

  • Neighbourhoods under the evacuation order issued on May 14, can expect to be evacuated until at least Tuesday, May 21. Until the evacuation order is lifted, it’s not safe to return to the neighbourhoods of Prairie Creek, Abasand, Beacon Hill and Grayling Terrace. The evacuation order could extend beyond May 21, but residents are encouraged to plan to be away until at least May 21. When it is safe for residents to return to these neighbourhoods, the evacuation order will be lifted.

 

  • The rest of Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek, Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort McMurray First Nation # 468, Anzac, and Rickards Landing Industrial Park remain under Evacuation Alert.  While some areas remain under alert, please be assured that we are closely monitoring the situation and have confidence in the safety of these areas.

 

  • If your neighbourhood is not under an evacuation order, you will not be eligible for support and lodging, including accommodation and meals.

 

 

Traffic:

  • The highway is open in both directions, and traffic is flowing smoothly.

  • If you left Fort McMurray yesterday without being under an evacuation order, you are welcome to return and stay home.

 

Local Businesses:

  • Businesses and day-to-day operations continue in many parts of the region. Thank you to the businesses that remain open, and we encourage businesses to stay open, and resume their normal operations if possible.

 

Please remember to follow only trusted resources for wildfire information:

 

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