Highway 1 is still open in both directions amid a warning by the GNWT’s Department of Infrastructure that the highway could close southbound due to wildfires in Northern Alberta.
The Department of Infrastructure tweeted a warning at 11:26 a.m. Monday that Highway 1 could be closed southbound at Enterprise due to forest fires. The Department stated updates would be tweeted out, if a closure becomes necessary. No further updates have been given by the department as of 10:14 a.m. Tuesday.
Wildfire Alert: Everyone in the area of Indian Cabins in Mackenzie County must evacuate immediately. Persons evacuating this area must travel north, via Highway 35, to the Northwest Territories. All Evacuees must contact Mackenzie County to register at 780-927-3718. #abfire https://t.co/CdEcucfceX
— Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) June 17, 2019
Residents of the Indian Cabins area are being told they must evacuate via Highway 35 north into the NWT, however, the Jackpot Creek fire has not reached the community yet. The wildfire, burning southeast of Indian Cabins, is now at 75,680 hectares (756 square kilometres).
There are currently 116 firefighters, 11 helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment working on the fire. Part of this work involves building fireguards around the fire’s perimeter towards Highway 35 – the highway remains open, for the time being. For up-to-the-minute highway information, see 511 Alberta.
The Jackpot Creek fire is one of two out-of-control wildfires in the High Level region. The Chuckegg Creek fire, southwest of the town of High Level, is at 300,000 hectares in size (3,000 square kilometres). There are 890 firefighters and other workers on the fire, as well as 46 helicopters and 153 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.
An evacuation alert is in place for residents of High Level and surrounding communities including the Dene Tha First Nation, Bushe River Reserve, Beaver First Nations Child Lake Reserve and the hamlet of La Crete.
