Fire

Update, 8:00 p.m. April 21: Wood Buffalo RCMP are advising the public not to operate drones in the vicinity of the wildfire. Police say drones have been seen flying in the area of the wildfire, grounding helicopters attempting to fight the blaze. The RCMP say this is a significant risk to public safety, as helicopters […]

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RWMB) is announcing a new agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to provide ambulance and EMS services in our region. The five-year contract ensures four fully staffed ambulances are available in the region 24/7. The deal also sees the continuation of the RMWB’s dual model, where staff are trained […]

Regional Emergency Services (RES) and Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz are reminding everyone to check their carbon monoxide alarms and test them monthly. Shortly after noon on Saturday, February 10, Firefighter-Paramedics responded to a medical call at an apartment complex in Timberlea. During the call, the portable carbon monoxide detectors worn by the first responders […]

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is advising everyone to look out for thin ice. With Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo experiencing unseasonably warm weather and little snow, Regional Emergency Services (RES) is calling on residents to be extra cautious this winter. Fire Chief Jody Butz says when rivers freeze, ice may look thick enough […]

The Wood Buffalo RCMP is investigating a fire at a church in Janvier. On Friday, December 15th, at around 10:30 p.m., police responded to a call about a building on fire in the community situated 120 kilometres south of Fort McMurray near the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation. When the RCMP arrived, they found the Janvier […]

Wood Buffalo RCMP is investigating a suspicious death, as well as a vehicle fire, that they believe may be connected. RCMP responded to a call of a suspicious death at 10:10 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2023. This incident sent police to Parsons Access Road, near the Highway 63 turn-off, and forced the closure of the […]

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is tallying the costs of the summer fires in Yellowknife and Hay River. Based on IBC’s initial estimates, the wildfires resulted in over $60 million of insurable losses. The forest fires in the Northwest Territories led to the evacuation of nearly 25 thousand people over the summer, and the […]

Regional Emergency Crews are out in the community this week to share important fire safety tips. Fire Prevention Week in Canada runs from October 8th to 14th, and it is an opportunity to share small but important actions you can take to help prevent fires. This year’s theme is “Cooking Safely Starts with You.” Fire […]

Sept. 27, 2023, 3:00 p.m. Update: The commercial drop-off at the landfill has re-opened. The cause of the fire remains undetermined but it is not considered suspicious. All drop-off areas are open and the landfill has returned to normal operations. — The RMWB has closed the commercial drop-off at the landfill due to an ongoing […]

Athabasca RCMP are investigating a residential fire that occurred last week. RCMP, Athabasca Fire, and Associated Ambulance responded to the fire on September 9, 2023, at 2:35 a.m. Multiple vehicles and the residence were on fire upon arrival. The family of seven, with the youngest being a one year old child, escaped the fire unharmed. […]