(Photo: A water bomber heads towards the fire burning near Gregoire on May. 2, 2016. Nicole Baggio / PRODUCER. Copyright Rogers Media)
The forest fire south-west of Fort McMurray has shifted away from homes as aircraft and ground crews work to contain the flames.
Officials say the fire is burning more to the south and away from Centennial trailer park and Prairie Creek, although both of those residential neighbourhoods are still under mandatory evacuation.
There are currently two forest fires burning in the Fort McMurray area.
The fire north of the community in the Parsons Creek area is currently being held, about 25 members of the Fort McMurray Fire Department and Alberta Forestry are fighting that fire.
The forest fire about one kilometre south of the community that caused Mayor Melissa Blake to declare a local state of emergency has calmed down since Sunday night.
“No significant change to the fire over night, which is certainly good news for us. The fire didn’t really change in size, it actually calmed down quite a bit,” said Fire Regional Fire Chief Darby Allen.
There are currently seven helicopters, two air tankers laying retardant and 28 firefighters battling the blaze. An additional 100 firefighters have been called in throughout the province for support.
Regional Fire Chief Darby Allen says he is more encouraged today that the fire will not hit the town, but at the slightest sign of change evacuations will occur. He expects the worst of the fire to happen around 3 p.m.
“The fire is between 500 and 750 hectares in size, it is difficult to get a precise size due to smoke but we are working on that,” said Bernie Schmitte of Alberta Forestry.
Prairie Creek and Centennial Trailer Park are still under mandatory evacuation, plans to re-evaluate these zones will happen later today.
A very dry spring has led to four forest fires in five days.
You can listen to the full audio from the press conference here:
– With files from Bradley Karp
-With files from The Canadian Press
