A wildfire burning near Fort McMurray is expected to move away from the community on Wednesday.
The MWF-017 wildfire near Fort McMurray is now 5.5 kilometres from the city’s landfill, two kilometres closer than it was on Tuesday afternoon.
The fire is 4.5 kilometres from the Highway 63 and Highway 881 intersection and is about 21,000 hectares in size — about the size of Victoria, B.C. — according to the latest information.
Officials expected fire behaviour to be subdued in the morning, but sunny conditions in the afternoon could fan the flames.
“Active fire behaviour is expected today, but it should be less than what we saw yesterday, thanks to cooler temperatures and weaker winds,” Christie Tucker with Alberta Wildfire told reporters. “Winds from the northwest at 10 km/h are expected today, which should push the fire away from Fort McMurray and Highway 63.”
A fire ban will take effect in the community on Wednesday at 2 p.m. MT.
“Under the fire ban all outdoor wood fires on public and private land are banned,” Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks said.
In addition, an off-highway vehicle restriction will be implemented for the Fort McMurray forest area. Under an OHV restriction the recreational use of OHVs is prohibited.”
Evacuee information
A reception centre has been set up at the Clareview Recreation Centre in Edmonton.
Anyone living in the evacuated neighbourhoods can go to the centre for food and lodging.
Evacuation centres are also open in Cold Lake and Lac La Biche.
Officials are asking evacuees to stay at the evacuation centre they are already at and not to attempt to transfer to a different reception centre.
Residents who did not register at an evacuation centre or who chose to leave without an evacuation order will not be reimbursed for expenses, officials say.
Anyone who is out of their home for seven days or more as a result of a wildfire evacuation is entitled to a payment of $1,250 per adult and $500 per child.
Premier Danielle Smith says support is also available for residents in the immediate aftermath of the evacuation.
“We provide hotel vouchers, food, and all of the additional communication support, it’s when an evacuation lingers longer than a week that it can become a financial hardship,” she said.
Anyone who was not able to bring their animals when they left is asked to submit a request online.
All Fort McMurray public and Catholic schools are closed for the remainder of the week.