Emergency Preparedness | Town of Fort Smith

2023 Wildfire Season Updates

For details on wildfires around Fort Smith visit the sites below:

ECC wildfire info: https://www.ecc.gov.nt.ca/en/services/wildfire-update

Alberta wildfire info: https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-status.aspx

Parks Canada wildfire info: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/woodbuffalo/nature/science_nature/fire_...

ATTN: June 1, 2023 (17:00) - The areas of Northern Alberta, Wood Buffalo National Park, and NT South Slave continue to experience extreme wildfire conditions with many wildfires being actioned throughout the region. The area of Fort Smith has received some precipitation and cooler weather but the trend will continue to be hot and dry.

There is a complete fire ban in the Municipality of Fort Smith and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. There is a recreational fire ban in place for Wood Buffalo National Park. There is an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) ban for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (All Alberta land south of Fort Smith)
The community of Fort Chipewyan is under an evacuation order due to a wildfire nearby. The Pink Lake Highway is closed from Parsons Lake Road south to Peace Point including the Pine Lake area due to a fire nearby. Be cautious of changing conditions and smoke on the highway in the area.

For Parks Canada updates on WBNP wildfires visit https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/woodbuffalo/nature/science_nature/fire_management/feu-foret-fire
For NT South Slave wildfire updates visit https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/wildfire-update
For Alberta Wildfire updates visit https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-status.aspx#jumplinks-0

May 29, 2023 (12:00) - FIRE BAN - The Town of Fort Smith has issued a complete fire ban for the municipality. Effective immediately all open flame fires are ban. BBQs and propane appliances can be used with extreme caution. Keep your BBQ clean and free of grease build up. Make sure to use it away from structures and flammable material. Please do your part to keep the Town of Fort Smith safe during an extreme and early fire season!

STAY INFORMED

Residents can expect to be notified during an emergency at regular intervals by the following means:

Fort Smith's Emergency Notification System. Sign up at: https://fortsmith.ca/emergency-notification-system
Social media
The Town website
Local radio (eg: CBC FM 97.9)
Loud speaker announcements throughout the town via emergency vehicles
Door-to-door checks.

Types of notifications:

Shelter in Place: Residents may be advised to shelter in place either in their residence or a designated evacuation/reception center (eg: Town Recreation Centre). This method will be used when evacuation is not required or practical.
Evacuation Notice: This alerts any public at risk that everyone should be prepared for a potential evacuation.
Evacuation Alert: This alerts any public at risk that an evacuation may occur on short notice. Residents should prepare to evacuate the area.
Evacuation Order: This alerts any public at risk that an evacuation has been ordered. At this point, you must leave the area immediately. The RCMP will assist in safeguarding personal properties.
All Clear: When the emergency is under control and it is declared safe to return to the area, an "All clear" will be called.

BE PREPARED

Residents should prepare themselves, their loved ones, their pets, and their household for the possibility of an emergency.

Households should have and practice an evacuation plan for all occupants annually. If anyone in the household will require evacuation or transportation, other than a household vehicle, ensure a registration form is filled out in case of evacuation. See below.
It is a long drive out of Fort Smith! Always have your vehicle fueled to at least 3/4 of a tank, especially in forest fire season.
Have an Emergency Kit ready. See the resources below.
Monitor one of the several methods of notifications or register for the Fort Smith Emergency Notification System.
Keep your property FireSmart. Contact a local FireSmart representative or the Fort Smith Fire/EMS Department for more information. See additional resources below.

Emergency Contact Information