Support from outside the region continues to arrive to help local fire crews fight the Dunes West wildfire. Monday night, 27 firefighters from the Calgary Fire Department, along with three engines and a mechanic truck arrived in Grande Prairie; the 27 firefighters are part of the 100 additional firefighters requested. As of 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, the evacuation area has not changed, as the Dune West wildfire is still considered out of control and is estimated to be 1,700 hectares in size. According to GPREP’s Tuesday morning update, firefighters continue to focus on preventing the fire from spreading while identifying and controlling hotspots along the perimeter.
GPREP has also released a donation and volunteer sign-up form for those who are wanting to provide assistance and support. According to GPREP those who are wanting to offer equipment, supplies or volunteer services can fill out the web form.
Additionally, members of GPREP and external stakeholders are working on a plan for damage assessments. Some of these external stakeholders included in this planning include ATCO Electric and Gas, Aquatera, and Alberta Health Services who will assess critical infrastructure and individual properties. According to GPREP fire assessments will only happen once the evacuation area is deemed safe by fire officials. Once these assessments are completed, then re-entry for evacuees will be looked at.
As of Tuesday morning’s update, 934 evacuees registered at Bonnetts Energy Centre.