Alberta, Canada, ARES volunteers are responding to assist with communication during a wildfire emergency that has caused the evacuation of thousands of residents. Radio Amateurs of Canada is requesting that Canadian and US amateurs avoid 14.135, 7.135, and 3.675 MHz and give priority access to Alberta ARES as it supports the Alberta government during the emergency.

According to Alberta Wildfire Info, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have safely evacuated all residents “immediately impacted” by the fires in the Lesser Slave River area. “Firefighters and aircraft are aggressively fighting this wildfire,” the agency said. Eleven fires were ignited by lightning strikes on May 25, and four are still considered out of control.

“There is a wildfire burning out of control at approximately km 33 Old Smith Highway,” Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development has reported. “The wildfire is 25 km east of the town of Slave and at this time it is not threatening the town of Slave Lake. The airtankers have laid retardant lines around the entire wildfire. — Thanks to RAC and Bill Boskwick, VE4BOZ, RAC Chief Field Services Officer