Posted by 
The wildfire started 43 kilometres southeast of Edson and was roughly 24,000 hectares Friday night. Oil and gas facilities and one campground were evacuated during the night of May 4. There were three helicopters working on the fire.
Burst of wildfires in dry heat, relentless winds
Crews are battling dozens of wildfires across the province as tinder-dry conditions are fanned by swift changing winds and lack of rain.
Fire restrictions and bans have been put in place across much of the province, including Edmonton.
As of 11 p.m. Friday, there were 92 active wildfires in Alberta, 31 of which are classified as out of control. Of the remaining fires, 17 are being held and 44 are under control.
More than 13,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, including roughly 7,000 people Thursday from the Town of Drayton Valley and area, about 144 km southwest of Edmonton.
Alberta Wildfire said late Friday that the blaze near Drayton Valley was two kilometres south of the town and about 500 hectares in size. Alberta Wildfire is assisting Brazeau County battling the fire, with some 25 firefighters, three helicopters and air tanker support are working on the fire.
A reception centre for evacuees has since been established in Hall C at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, 7515 118 Ave. For more information, evacuees are urged to call 780-542-7777.
Motorists are advised to visit 511 Alberta for the latest information on highway closures.
Other northern Alberta evacuations
Mandatory evacuation orders are also in effect for:
-The County of Grande Prairie from Township Road 710 to the Wapiti River and Highway 40 to Range Road 72. Evacuees should register at the Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Ave., Grande Prairie.
-Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Everyone in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation must evacuate and should register at Memorial Hall, 4808 50 St. in Valleyview.
-Fourth Creek area of Saddle Hills County, between Township Road 840 and the Peace River between Range Road 75 and Range Road 85.
-Lac Ste Anne County west of Highway 43, and Range Road 60 west to Highway 757 from Brock Lake in the south to Township Road 564 in the north. Evacuees should register at the Mayerthorpe Diamond Centre at 4184 54 St.
-Athabasca County on Range Road 214 and 215, north of Township Road 674 to the Athabasca River. Evacuees should register at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
-East part of Yellowhead County, starting at the Pembina River west to Range Road 101, north border is Township Road 550 and south border is Township Road 520, including Evansburg, Wildwood, Lobstick and Hansonville. Evacuees should register at the Edson Leisure Centre.
-Yellowhead County from Elk River Road in the north, the Brazeau Reservoir in the east, just past Brazeau River in the south and Range Road 145 in the west.
-Leduc County from Range Road 41 east to Range Road 35 and from Township Road 494 north to Township Road 495. Evacuees should register with Leduc County by calling 780-955-4546.
-The Hamlet of Entwistle, west of Range Road 65. Evacuees should register at Wabamun Jubilee Hall at 5132 53 Ave. in Wabamun.
-The entire community of Fox Lake (Little Red River Cree Nation). Evacuees have been asked to go to the Fox Lake Band Office or call 1-888-201-3053.
Update from the province
Alberta fire crews are set to get some relief, with 79 firefighters from Ontario and Quebec expected to arrive on Friday.
The province’s emergency management cabinet committee was scheduled to meet Friday afternoon, according to a statement from the premier’s office. UCP Leader Danielle Smith is to give an update at 11 a.m. Saturday in Calgary on the provinces’ wildfire situation.
Smith, Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis, and Opposition leader Rachel Notley have all been briefed with the latest wildfire information.
The public can visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard on the province’s website for the latest information.
On Friday, YMCA of Northern Alberta announced that it is offering free facilities access to all evacuees fleeing Alberta wildfires, including four locations in Edmonton and one in Red Deer.
