Residents of several communities west of Edmonton have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to an encroaching wildfire.
According to reports, high winds have made it challenging to contain the blaze that has headed west toward the hamlets of Entwistle and Evansburg.
Alberta Wildfire officials have stated that there are technically two fires burning in the area, with one of them being 3,000 hectares in size. This has led to Parkland County and Yellowhead County declaring a state of local emergency.
Derrick Forsythe, information officer with Alberta Wildfire, has emphasized that the situation is dire and that people should take heed of the notices being sent from the municipality for evacuations to get out of harm's way.
"With conditions so dry, people should take heed of the notices being sent from the municipality for evacuations to get out of harm's way," he told CBC on Sunday.
The cause of the wildfire is still unknown, and the firefighters have struggled to contain it due to the wind and low relative humidity. Brian Cornforth, Parkland County fire chief and incident commander on this wildfire, stated that it's been a challenging fight so far.
"We had large fire growth yesterday… We're just working the flanks of this fire to try and narrow it down," he told CBC on Sunday. At least one home has been destroyed, as well as some outbuildings.
Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams has emphasized the focus on safety and property protection, and he estimated about 1,200 people have been evacuated from Yellowhead County. He said about 45 people from the county were working on crews helping to battle the flames, plus some assisting personnel on bulldozers and excavators.
The evacuation orders issued by Alberta Emergency Alert are mandatory, and they have advised people to collect important documents, medications, and enough food and water to be away for at least three days.
According to Parkland County, reception centers for evacuees in that county are Wildwood Community Hall and Wabamun Jubilee Hall.
Mark Cacka, who was out at a birthday party with his family, was notified of the threat to their home just south of Entwistle, CBC reported.
"We were able to scrounge up some stuff from the house," he said.
The family has been staying in a camper trailer parked at a friend's place near Wildwood. Cacka said it has been an emotional journey but that he's had support from members of the community.
"When we were grabbing our stuff, we probably had no less than a dozen people reach out to us saying, 'What can we do to help?'" he said.
This situation is highly alarming, with at least 40 active wildfires in Alberta, and 12 of them being new within the last 24 hours. The dry and windy conditions are exacerbating the situation, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the flames. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and to ensure no more fires are started, CBC reported.
The insurance implications of such an event are significant, as property damage and loss of life are real possibilities. For homeowners who have already evacuated, it is important to contact their insurance providers to file a claim and understand their coverage limits.
For those who have not yet been affected by the wildfire, it is a good time to review their insurance policies and ensure they have adequate coverage to protect their property and possessions.
With the number of wildfires increasing, insurance providers may consider reassessing their risk profiles and adjust their premiums accordingly.
As wildfires continue to occur, insurance premiums may increase in the areas most at risk, making it important for residents to review their policies regularly.
