JULIE BERTRAND/Independent reporter
The town of Slave Lake partially burned earlier this week and fires continue to burn across northern Alberta.
Currently there are presently 115 wildfires burning in Alberta, 36 of which are out of control.
These active wildfires have burned approximately 107,000 hectares of land. In the Lesser Slave Lake area alone, there are 15 wildfires burning out of control.
There are also out-of control wildfires in the Red Earth Creek area and multiple forest fires north of Fort McMurray, which required the evacuation of about 2,000 oil workers.
Province-wide, Alberta has deployed approximately 1,000 firefighters, 100 helicopters, 20 air tankers and scores of heavy ground-based machines.
Approximately 400 firefighters and equipment from B.C. and Ontario are expected to arrive in Alberta by May 18.
In addition to the evacuation of Slave Lake, there are now evacuation orders in place in Loon Lake and Chisholm. In addition, the Municipal District of Northern Sunrise has issued evacuation advisories for Little Buffalo and Martin Lake; the Municipality of Wood Buffalo is monitoring the situation; and Athabasca and Municipal District of Big Lake currently have no evacuation orders in place.
As firefighters continue to combat wildfires around Slave Lake, the Stettler Kinettes have started collecting things for the residents of the disaster-struck town.
Stettler residents can drop off items at Bond-O, Apple Drugs or Heartland Hearing. Any non-perishable food, health and beauty items are welcome.
A donated transport vehicle will be going up to Slave Lake on May 19 at noon with the donated items.