Lac La Biche News

As a massive wildfire continues to burn out of control more than 250 kilometres north, municipalities to the south have seen some relief in local fire hazards and have lifted area fire and ATV bans.

Fallen tree hits power line and sparks fire. Quick response from fire department and forestry crews keeps blaze under control.

In two days’ time, the number of Fort McMurray evacuees staying at the Bold Center full-time dropped by over 250 people.

As members of the media were allowed into Fort McMurray for the first time since a wildfire tore through the city a week prior, Wood Buffalo’ s leading firefighter had a message for the area’ s 80,000 evacuees.

When the wildfire nicknamed "The Beast” forced over 80,000 people out of the Fort McMurray area last week, Canadians fought back with a staggering amount of donations to the Red Cross to support evacuees. A little over a week after the donations started pouring in, the Red Cross is set to start distributing some of those funds.

It might be the largest fire that Lac La Biche County firefighters have seen in their careers, but that’ s not deterring them from battling a blaze so infamous it has a name: The Beast.

No matter how you phrase it, telling Fort McMurray evacuees they’ re going to be away from their homes for a long time is tough.

After the first wave of evacuees had arrived at the Bold Center, MJ Siebold thought the makeshift animal care facility on the second floor might be a tad less busy.

Police say everyone should be evacuated from Fort McMurray - but they're not. One man has been arrested after police conducting regular patrols of the evacuated northern city responded to a break-and-enter call.

As thousands streamed south from Fort McMurray to find shelter from the firestorm that devastated their community, others raced north to offer their help and bring supplies. Jay Woolner was one of those people.