Majority of Slave Lake residents safely evacuated

Ensuring the safety of residents evacuated from Slave Lake and continuing to combat wildfires throughout the province continues to be the top priority for the Alberta government, municipal officials, and emergency personnel. Below is an update on recent activities.

Town situation
Approximately 95 per cent of the residents have now been safely evacuated. Officials are conducting a house-to-house search for any remaining residents. Residents are not being allowed back into the community due to safety concerns. There is a lack of potable water, power, and gas supplies in the community. Plans are underway for addressing these shortages. A task force of governmental ministries and agencies is being created to deal with the immediate needs of the community and develop a transition plan for supporting the residents of Slave Lake.

Evacuation Centers
The following reception centers continue to be in operation for residents in need of assistance:

Westlock Community Hall, 10711-104 Ave. (space is still available)
Athabasca Multiplex, #2 University Dr. (space is still available)
Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515-118 Ave (space is still available)
Emergency medical staff are onsite and available should evacuees require assistance or medication. Meals are available as well as counseling services and spiritual resources upon request. Evacuees are welcome to stay here for as long as required.

Evacuees with alternate accommodations
All displaced residents are encouraged to call the Red Cross Central Registration Inquiry Bureau to register their information. The number is: 1-800-565-4483. This allows loved ones to check on the status and location of residents. Family members can also call this number to check on the status of loved ones.

Road closures
Travel in and around Slave Lake continues to be restricted for safety reasons:

Highway 44 is closed between the junctions of Highway 663 and Highway 2.
All access into Slave Lake is closed. Evacuation access out of Slave Lake is available on Highway 2 eastbound.
Highway 2 is closed west of Slave Lake from Highway 33 to the Town.
Highway 2 is closed east of Slave Lake from Highways 2A/Highway 44 into the Town
Highway 88 is closed north of Slave Lake up to Highway 986, located south of Red Earth Creek.
Highway 750 is closed from Highway 679 to Highway 88.

Firefighting efforts
The 40 local firefighters from the Slave Lake Fire Department are being assisted by more than 120 urban firefighters and equipment from Alberta cities. No additional firefighters or equipment are needed in Slave Lake itself, but 200 additional fireflighters and aircraft support have been requested from B.C. to assist with firefighting efforts in other parts of the province.

Contact Numbers:

Albertans can call toll-free 310-4455 to access current information about the wildfire situation such as Red Cross information, highway closures, phone numbers, and what websites to visit for more information.
Red Cross Central Registration Inquiry Bureau is: 1-800-565-4483.
Any family members who are looking for information on where medical patients were moved can call Alberta Health Services at 1-866-301-2668.