Wood Buffalo Forest Fire Update: May 2, 10 p.m.
issued by RMWB
(Fort McMurray, AB – May 2, 2016) – Wildfire fighting activity outside of Fort McMurray has stopped for the night. Tuesday saw high temperatures as crews fought wildfires north of Fort McMurray in the TaigaNova area, as well as west of Gregoire.
West Wildfire
Over the course of Monday’s action, teams worked together to push back the fire west of Fort McMurray. Helicopters and fire bombers supported fire fighters and heavy equipment on the ground, pushing back the fire and digging firebreaks.
Centennial Trailer Park continues to be under mandatory evacuation. A shelter-in-place order has been issued for Gregoire and Prairie Creek. At the close of activity, wind was blowing south-west.
Tomorrow (May 3), air operations are expected to restart at 9:00 a.m. Heavy machinery will work on digging firebreaks through the night.
North Wildfire
Fire suppression north of Fort McMurray, in the TaigaNova area, has been very successful, with the majority of the blaze extinguished. Twelve municipal firefighters and nine Alberta Forestry firefighters have demobilized from the site and will return at 8:00 a.m on Tuesday morning to check for hotspots.
