The wildfire situation in the Wood Buffalo Complex is slowly getting better, according to the latest update.
The Unified Command Team sent out a “Welcome Home” message to the residents of Fort Smith, stating that the several hundred workers who have worked to contain the fires are excited to see them coming back home. Members of the Command Team will be taking any questions that residents have at the Fort Smith Welcome Centre.
The last measurement of the fire was estimated at 488,300 hectares. Much of the fire’s perimeter is considered under control, with a small amount listed as contained. Together, 92 percent of the northern perimeter is now considered contained or controlled.
There are currently 269 personnel responding to the Wood Buffalo Complex, which includes 30 pieces of heavy equipment, 14 helicopters and 139 firefighters and structure protection firefighters. These numbers fluctuate as personnel leave the incident for much needed rest and new personnel and resources arrive.
Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue in the area, leading to increased fire activity. While the forecast is expected to cool off a bit around the middle of the week, though warmer temperatures are expected to return by Thursday.
Fire crews are reminding people to stay away from locations where active firefighting operations are taking place, after finding a member of the public entered the closed area along Foxholes Road while ignition operations were taking place.
