An evacuation order has been issued for Fort Chipewyan including the Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
Officials say a wildfire was discovered on May 28 and caused by lightning. It covers 3,000 hectares and is considered out of control.
The plan is to have everyone out of the community within the next 72 hours. The evacuation was ordered Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.
There are limited flights available for the remainder of today (May 30) The majority of people will be transported out of Fort Chipewyan on Wednesday, beginning at approximately 8 a.m. If you do not live in Allison Bay or are not a vulnerable person, please wait until tomorrow to register as an evacuee and leave the community.
In his Facebook Live update, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam asked residents not to panic, and that a Hercules plane is scheduled to arrive at 7:30 tonight, where roughly 120 members will be flown to Fort McMurray. More members will be flown out tomorrow.
Residents will be informed by RCMP, by phone or door-to-door once their neighborhood is ready to be evacuated. Don’t go to the community hall.
At this time, the priority for evacuation continues to be vulnerable and elderly people. If you are in this group, you are asked to register at the Archie Simpson Arena. Do not go directly to the airport at this time.
Air transportation from the community to Fort McMurray is being arranged as well as temporary accommodations in Fort McMurray and Fort McKay for evacuees.
The evacuation will be done in stages and will begin with residents in Allison Bay, the nearest community to the wildfire boundary. Residents will be informed through the three Nations or emergency officials by phone or door-to-door once their neighborhood is ready to be evacuated.
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