May 2023 Fire
Brazeau County has renewed the State of Local Emergency (SOLE) due to the Pembina Complex fire at the western edge of the County.
The SOLE gives the County powers it does not normally have outside emergencies, such as ordering evacuations if necessary..jpg)
- Brazeau County has declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) due to the Pembina Complex fire at the western edge of the County.The SOLE gives the County powers it does not normally have outside emergencies, such as ordering evacuations if necessary.
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We understand that many people have questions and concerns about repairs to their property and fences that were damaged as a result of fire operations.
We have developed a plan to repair or replace agricultural infrastructure that was lost or damaged due to firefighting operations. This includes barbed wire fences, corrals, outbuildings or panels etc.
If your property was damaged as a direct result of the fire, please call your insurance company.
If damage was caused by heavy equipment or firefighters while they were carrying out the functions of mitigating the fire such as dozer guards, please click the link below to fill out the Livestock Handling Infrastructure Damage Report.
A municipal representative will reach out with next steps that will include an assessment of the property to determine what form of compensation will be provided.
For more information please call the Director of Emergency Management at 780-514-2388
- An evacuation notice remains in effect for residents of Brazeau County in the area indicated in the attached map. Residents within this area must be ready to evacuate within 30 minutes.Follow Drayton Valley and Brazeau County Facebook pages for updates and resources.
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- Evacuation notice area for Brazeau CountyAn evacuation notice is in effect for residents of Brazeau County in the area indicated in the attached map. Residents within this area must be ready to evacuate within 30 minutes. The evacuation order (mandatory evacuation) has been lifted for all areas in Brazeau County.If you are returning home, drive with caution. Follow Drayton Valley and Brazeau County social media for updates and resources on re-entry.Areas
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Fire operations will proceed as they did yesterday, with fire fighters moving toward the interior of the burn area as they extinguish hotspots using crews on the ground and support from the air. Fire, smoke, trees burning at the roots and ‘torching’ or ‘candling’ to their tops is expected within the many ‘green islands’ within the fire burn path or what is known as the ‘black’ area.
More than 250 essential workers have been identified and brought back into the community to prepare for re-entry to our residents. Work with utility providers continues throughout the day to restore critical infrastructure and services.
The wind has shifted and brought smoke from other fires into the air, resulting in a 10+ (very high risk) rating on the air quality scale. Anyone with respiratory conditions should avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. All others should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
- Now You Know - Fire InformationThere are “islands” of unburnt fuel within the “black” burned area that are capable of throwing embers and creating spot fires. Dozer guards were placed, however the fire was reported as starting spot fires as far as 600 metres downwind of the head of the fire. Control of this fire is reliant on those skilled workers building and holding the perimeter by quickly and safely managing spot fires that may jump. Self-deploying individuals, or the public ignoring the evacuation order could interfere with the response to these spot fires, and could result in an inability to effectively control the fires early before they have a chance to grow and make a “run”.
We are pleased to report that due to great work by firefighters yesterday, the Buck Creek Wildfire did not grow despite the hot, dry conditions. Today’s forecast is for similar conditions, but we are encouraged by progress made yesterday and crews will continue working to mitigate the fire danger to our communities. Currently there are 270 people conducting fire operations on the fire line, including crews from the Canadian Armed Forces, our local departments, and ones from across Canada. We are grateful for them and their dedication to keeping our communities safe.
We are working quickly to establish a re-entry plan for when it is safe for everyone to return and critical infrastructure is in place to support residents. These include the hospital, municipal operations, utilities, grocery stores, fuel stations, etc. Our emergency operations staff are working closely with stakeholders to ensure these services are in place as soon as is feasible.
Please continue to follow our social media pages for updates. Stay safe.
Today, we want to take a moment to recognize all the amazing mothers in Drayton Valley and Brazeau County. We know that for many of you, today is not the celebration you had hoped for. The ongoing wildfire evacuations have disrupted daily life for everyone, and we know that this situation is particularly hard for mothers who are trying to care for their families during this uncertain time.
We want to acknowledge the strength and resilience of all the mothers who have been impacted by the wildfires. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are grateful for everything you do. Also, a heartfelt thank you to those mothers who are first responders and emergency personnel who are taking time away from their families to keep everyone safe and protect our communities. We hope that despite the challenges everyone is facing, you can find moments of joy and connection with your loved ones today.
To all the mothers and families who have been evacuated from their homes, we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support you and keep you safe. We will continue to provide updates and resources as the situation develops.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers in Drayton Valley and Brazeau County.
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Fire crews once again worked throughout the day to extinguish hot spots and prevent the spread of the Buck Creek wildfire. The fire remains active, and forecasted conditions of hot, dry, and windy weather pose a challenge to firefighters.
This photo shows dozer guards around the fire perimeter.
Dozer guards use bulldozers to clear away brush from the fire line to create a fuel break to prevent the fire from spreading outside the perimeter. They allow firefighters to work more efficiently as it is easier to lay down hose in a cleared section rather than dense brush. Dozer guards also provide a safety area for firefighters working withing the fire zone.
We would again like to recognize the efforts of firefighters, Canadian Armed Forces, and other emergency personnel who have been working tirelessly to mitigate the wildfire danger and bring you home as soon as possible. While we currently do not have a date set for re-entry, we are working diligently on a re-entry plan to ensure as smooth a transition as possible back into the community.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this unprecedented situation together. Please check out our other posts for information on mental health supports, evacuee FAQs, activities for evacuees in Edmonton, and future updates on the fire situation.
Stay safe!
Why are Hotspots such a Concern?Hotspots in a wildfire can be dangerous, especially if they are not identified and contained properly. Here are some reasons why hotspots can be dangerous:
- Reignition: Hotspots are areas of the wildfire that are still burning or smoldering, even after the main fire has passed. If these hotspots are not identified and extinguished, they can reignite and start a new fire or grow an existing fire.
- Spread of fire: Hotspots can also cause the fire to spread to areas that were previously unaffected. For example, a hotspot may spread to a nearby tree or building and start a new fire.
- Health hazards: Hotspots can produce smoke, which can cause respiratory issues or other health problems. The smoke may contain toxic chemicals, so it is important to avoid inhaling it.
- Access issues: Hotspots may be located in remote or difficult-to-reach areas, which can make it challenging for fire crews to access and contain them. This can delay firefighting efforts and allow the fire to spread further.
- Structural damage: Hotspots can also cause structural damage to buildings or other infrastructure. For example, a hotspot may weaken a building's foundation or cause electrical issues.
Our crews are currently assessing the fires, including hotspots. We appreciate the public’s patience while the crews take the time to make sure hotspots don’t add to the current emergency situation.