HIGH LEVEL, Alta. – Officials fighting a wildfire in northwestern Alberta fear that winds fanning the flames could change this weekend in a more dangerous direction.
Shane Schreiber with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency says winds are expected to switch direction on Sunday.
About 5,000 evacuees from High Level, Mackenzie County, and Dene Tha First Nation are being told not expect to return until at least next week and that provincial emergency funds for gas, food and other expenses should be available by Monday.
READ MORE: Emergency funds for High Level evacuees to start flowing by Monday
Every adult will get $1,250 with another $500 for each dependent child. Evacuees can start applying for electronic transfers at noon on Sunday.
Pre-loaded debit cards for those unable to receive e-transfers can be picked up at reception centres on Monday.
The Chuckegg fire now covers nearly 1,000 square kilometres, although favourable winds have so far driven it away from the town of High Level.
Firefighters have completed successful controlled burns and bulldozed containment lines to remove fuel for the blaze.
READ MORE: High Level fire still out of control as more firefighters arrive
Within the town, sprinklers are at the ready and flammable debris has been removed.
For more information and addresses to evacuation centres, click here. For the latest emergency updates on the wildfire, click here.
The Canadian Press
