A spokesman for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation says almost all of the 800 people in Fort Chipewyan have left.
Fort McKay had been preparing for the possibility since Sunday night when leaders planned to transfer elders by air from Fort Chipewyan to that community’s long-term care centre.
“They were very thankful and grateful,” said Chief Raymond Powder of the Fort McKay First Nation. “We had seven elders there, the oldest being 97.” Fort McKay was ready to assist the evacuation by Tuesday morning, said Ron Quintal, president of the Fort McKay Metis Association.More than 40 boats left Fort Chipewyan. They were monitored over the course of their journey by safety boats from Fort McKay carrying extra fuel, water and food, and met at the end by volunteers who prepared hot meals and cold drinks.
Evacuees are headed to temporary accommodations in Fort McMurray and Fort McKay. Residents were told Tuesday to be ready to leave with 15 minutes notice.In February, they learned their drinking water source was downstream from two releases of oilsands wastewater. No contaminants were found at the community, but people drank bottled water for weeks.“We’ve dealt with so much,” said Adam. “One crisis after another.
Across Alberta, St-Onge said the province is dealing with 66 wildfires, with 18 out of control. The flames have scorched 11,000 square kilometres of forest. Firefighters continue to arrive from out of province, including 80 from Yukon and British Columbia.“We’re still at the beginning of the fire season and there’s a lot of work ahead of us.”
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