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Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees now being directed to Cold Lake

Evacuees from Fort McMurray were being directed to Lac La Biche due to a wildfire, but are now being sent to Cold Lake.
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Photo supplied

On Tuesday evening, an update was released by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo stating accommodation in Lac La Biche is now full, and evacuees from Fort McMurray should head to the City of Cold Lake.

"If you are an evacuee from an area that is under an evacuation order and require food and accommodation, please report to the new reception centre at the Cold Lake Agriplex located at 4608 38th Avenue," reads the update.

Cold Lake is located 147 kilometres southeast of Lac La Biche via Highway 36 and Highway 55.

Background

An evacuation order was put in place earlier Tuesday afternoon, directing some residents in Fort McMurray to leave due to an approaching wildfire.

Residents and businesses in Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace have been move to an evacuation order, according to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).

"These neighbourhoods directly interface with where the fire could potentially spread. Regional Emergency Services will better be able to defend these neighbourhoods from wildfire if they are uninhabited and clear," according to the municipality.

Evacuees were directed to Lac La Biche, but that reception centre is now full, and evacuees are being told to head east, toward Cold Lake.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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