Massive Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate Northern Alberta Community of Fox Lake

A devastating wildfire has swept through the northern Alberta community of Fox Lake, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. The wildfire, which was first reported on Thursday afternoon, has already covered about 4,400 hectares, according to an update from Alberta Wildfire. 

In a video posted to Facebook, Little Red River Cree Nation Chief Conroy Sewepagaham confirmed that around 3,700 people have already evacuated the community. However, he also warned that the fire is still out of control and continues to grow. 

Later in the day, Sewepagaham provided an update in which he confirmed that the fire has "grown significantly and continues to move westward." He also expressed his sadness at the loss of homes, saying that "Unfortunately we are losing homes left and right and center." A later update from Alberta Wildfire stated that 20 households in the community, as well as the police station and the Northern Store, had been lost due to the fire. It is not yet clear what caused the wildfire to start. 

Efforts to contain the wildfire are currently underway, with a large team of firefighters, helicopters, heavy equipment, and air tankers battling the flames. The Little Red River Cree Nation has also urged anyone who is able to help to donate to the Fox Lake Wildfire Emergency Fund, which has been set up to support the community. 

The Little Red River Cree Nation is made up of three Woodland Cree communities: Fox Lake, Garden River, and John D'Or Prairie. The majority of the population lives in Fox Lake, which is located east of High Level and around 600 kilometers north of Edmonton. 

Wildfires are a common occurrence in Alberta during the summer months, due in part to the province's dry climate and high temperatures. In recent years, wildfires have caused significant damage in a number of communities across the province, including the town of Fort McMurray, which was devastated by a massive wildfire in 2016.