Φρανκομβριτ
May 17th, 2011, 11:32 AM
For those of you who remember Cody, this is hapenning just an hour and a half's drive from his parents house. Lot of fond memories of Slave Lake....well not really, but still breaking news.
"Alberta has called in hundreds of extra firefighters to battle a fire that was still considered out of control Monday after destroying 40 per cent of the town of Slave Lake — and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
Most of the destruction happened in the southeastern section of town, where half the homes were consumed by flames Sunday. The mall, town hall and many downtown businesses were destroyed.
The fire was still considered out of control as of 6 p.m. MT Monday.
MAP Wildfires sweep across northern Alberta
Almost all 7,000 residents have been evacuated from the town, hundreds going to evacuation shelters in Athabasca, Westlock and Edmonton.
As of Monday evening, about 800 to 1,000 people were at the Athabasca shelter, 195 were in Edmonton and 46 people were staying in Westlock. Provincial officials said there is room for more people in all three locations.
Premier Ed Stelmach toured the fire zone Monday afternoon. He said the province will help fire victims but that people need to be patient before they return.
"I know it's difficult because everybody's really concerned about their home and whether there's damage, or burnt to the ground and what's salvagable," he said.
"It has to be done orderly, because it is a very large area and we want to make sure that anybody coming back here is safe."
Stelmach struck a task force of governmental ministries and agencies to deal with the immediate needs of the community and to provide support services to the residents of Slave Lake over the coming days, weeks and months.
Stelmach said he spoke with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who offered assistance. Stelmach said provincial employees are at the evacuation centres to get an idea of what sort of help the burned-out residents need.
Reporters were also taken on a tour of the town Monday, where they saw homes burned to their foundations, charred rubble and at least 100 burned-out vehicles."
More here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/05/16/slave-lake-fire-evacuation.html
out of over 100 wildfires burning in Alberta right now, 36 are out of control.
"Alberta has called in hundreds of extra firefighters to battle a fire that was still considered out of control Monday after destroying 40 per cent of the town of Slave Lake — and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
Most of the destruction happened in the southeastern section of town, where half the homes were consumed by flames Sunday. The mall, town hall and many downtown businesses were destroyed.
The fire was still considered out of control as of 6 p.m. MT Monday.
MAP Wildfires sweep across northern Alberta
Almost all 7,000 residents have been evacuated from the town, hundreds going to evacuation shelters in Athabasca, Westlock and Edmonton.
As of Monday evening, about 800 to 1,000 people were at the Athabasca shelter, 195 were in Edmonton and 46 people were staying in Westlock. Provincial officials said there is room for more people in all three locations.
Premier Ed Stelmach toured the fire zone Monday afternoon. He said the province will help fire victims but that people need to be patient before they return.
"I know it's difficult because everybody's really concerned about their home and whether there's damage, or burnt to the ground and what's salvagable," he said.
"It has to be done orderly, because it is a very large area and we want to make sure that anybody coming back here is safe."
Stelmach struck a task force of governmental ministries and agencies to deal with the immediate needs of the community and to provide support services to the residents of Slave Lake over the coming days, weeks and months.
Stelmach said he spoke with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who offered assistance. Stelmach said provincial employees are at the evacuation centres to get an idea of what sort of help the burned-out residents need.
Reporters were also taken on a tour of the town Monday, where they saw homes burned to their foundations, charred rubble and at least 100 burned-out vehicles."
More here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/05/16/slave-lake-fire-evacuation.html
out of over 100 wildfires burning in Alberta right now, 36 are out of control.