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Update 2: Just before midnight on April 18, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP said that the fire was under control.
The evacuation order has been lifted and Highway 16 is now open for travel. Emergency crews will still be in the area fighting what is left of the fires and the public is asked to remain vigilant and to please avoid any actions that could contribute to lowering the effectiveness of their work.
The Alberta RCMP would like to thank the public for their cooperation throughout this event.
Update 1: Fort Saskatchewan RCMP say that evacuations have begun for residences on Range Road 195, north of Highway 16. Anyone with residences not yet affected by the evacuation, but living in the area, is advised to prepare an evacuation kit and to be ready should the need arise to spread the evacuation zone.
Fort Saskatchewan RCMP can also confirm that the fire has spread to structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. The situation is evolving rapidly and the extent of the damages can’t be confirmed at this time.
On April 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., Fort Saskatchewan RCMP was informed of a grass fire that had started East of Elk Island National Park, behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.
The fire has started to spread and is not considered under control. Highway 16 will be shut down between the entrance to Elk Island National Park and Range Road 194 in both directions, with future closures to be considered.
The public is asked to avoid the area and find alternate routes of travel.
An update will be sent once more information is available or when the highway reopens.
Fires deliberately set near Fort McMurray earlier this week
Alberta RCMP haven’t yet said how the fire started. However, two other fires were deliberately set near Fort McMurray area earlier this week in two separate incidents.
Police have charged an Alberta man with deliberately setting fires. He was remanded in custody and appears in Fort McMurray court on April 23.
On April 14, at about 12 p.m., Wood Buffalo RCMP were doing routine patrols on Chipewyan Praire First Nation (Javier) when they located small grass fires burning near Nokohoo Road and the nearby treeline. Regional Emergency Services and Alberta Forestry attended to put out the fires.
The police investigation revealed that the fires were being intentionally lit in the grass near Nokohoo Road and Janvier Drive. Witnesses were able to provide police a description of the suspect believed to be starting the fires. Wood Buffalo RCMP located and arrested 41-year-old Timothy Herman, of Chard, Alberta. He is facing charges of arson.
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Herman was remanded in custody and appears next in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on April 23.
Two days prior, another man was charged with deliberately setting fires on Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (Janvier).
RCMP say that around 4:15 p.m. on April 15, Wood Buffalo RCMP and Regional Emergency Services responded to a call for a grass and residential fire at Lot 159 on Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (Janvier). When they arrived, it was fully engulfed in flames.
Witnesses reported seeing a suspect pouring fluid around the property and lighting the fire. The suspect was still on the scene when RCMP arrived and was arrested without incident. There was no one else in the residence at the time of the fire and no reported injuries.
Brian Cardinal, 54, of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation (Janvier), Alberta, is facing charges of arson.
Cardinal was held for a Judicial Interim Hearing and was later released from police custody on a Release Order with conditions. Cardinal appears in the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on May 7.
Wood Buffalo RCMP, with assistance from Wood Buffalo RCMP General Investigation Section, continue to investigate the arson.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime are asked to contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP at (780) 788‐4040. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐222‐8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity to police. Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911.
news@criminalsamongus.ca
