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.