FAQ for Affected Residents – Redwater Provincial Recreation Area Fire

Council has approved an extension for residents affected by the Redwater Recreation Area Wildfire who live within the previously designated evacuation order area, identified here. These residents now have until December 31, 2025, to pay their property taxes without incurring any late penalties.

Effective 9 a.m. on May 13, 2025, evacuated residents from the Redwater Recreation Area Fire are now permitted to return to their homes.  

A re-entry guide with important information is available at SturgeonCounty.ca to assist residents with re-entry. Printed guides are also available at the Re-entry Support Centre at Pembina Place (4944-53 St, Redwater, AB T0A 2W1) in Redwater. Residents are urged to review the instructions in the re-entry guide prior to returning home. 

For your safety, if your house has had fire activity around it, please maintain a safe distance (two tree lengths) from burnt standing trees, which pose extreme danger. 

The Re-entry Support Centre line for general questions, including those on reclamation services, remains available at 587-570-6610.

The primary ingredient in the retardant used by Alberta Wildfire is a fertilizer (11:37:0), composed of an ammonium polyphosphate solution. It also contains clay, which produces the red colour. This retardant is classified as non-hazardous. In high concentration, contact can cause skin irritation. If swallowed in large quantities, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you believe you are experiencing adverse affects due to the retardant, please contact 811 for medical support. The solution used as fire retardant is diluted and is about 85% water. 

Water contaminated by fire retardant is not considered harmful but may taste salty. Out of an abundance of caution, livestock should not drink water or graze in an area where retardant is visible. If feasible, restrict livestock access to affected areas until rain has diluted retardant residues. Although no known adverse effects have been reported, monitor animals for any unusual behavior. 

Retardant is primarily composed of diluted ammonium phosphate, which is a type of fertilizer. If retardant is present on crops or plants intended for consumption, wash them with clear water to remove the residue. Rainfall is the most effective way to dilute any remaining retardant on plants or soil. Be aware that the salty nature of the retardant can increase soil salinity. If your farm is certified organic, contact your local certification body to discuss potential impacts. 

Power has been restored and power companies are no longer working in the previous evacuation area. We are aware of two remaining downed lines near impacted properties for which repair plans are in place.

Always consider a downed power line to be energized and remain at least 7-metres away. Do not touch or attempt to move the line yourself.

If you find a downed line or damaged power pole that looks unstable, please immediately contact 310-WIRE to report the location. 

An evacuation alert is an advanced warning to allow people to prepare to be evacuated and can be up to several days in advance of an evacuation order. An evacuation alert does not necessarily get escalated to an evacuation order in every instance. An evacuation order is issued when emergency services has determined it is necessary to move people out of a dangerous area. 

Updates will be posted on the Sturgeon County website (SturgeonCounty.ca) and on Sturgeon County social media channels. Alerts will also be sent out on the Alberta Emergency Alert app and website. Evacuation orders will be issued door-to-door by emergency services in impacted areas. 

As much notice as possible will be given, depending on the nature of the emergency. That said, because fire behaviour can change very rapidly, residents need to be prepared to evacuate on short notice. 

Once the notice is given, residents will have up to one hour to evacuate. 

It is highly recommended you leave your home when an evacuation order is received. Emergency services will not send response personnel back into an area that individuals refused to evacuate until it is safe to return.  

In the event of an evacuation, Sturgeon County will set up a reception centre and communicate the location to all evacuees. Reception centres will take evacuation registration information to ensure supports can be accessed.  

In the event of an evacuation order, residents are encouraged to consider the following:  

• Leave the area immediately. Leaving promptly helps emergency crews keep the roads clear of congestion and gives them room to do their job. Evacuation orders are issued when you must leave the area for your own safety.  
• Grab your emergency kit and take it with you.  
• Gather important documents, medication, food, fresh water and other supplies to be away from home for 72 hours (emergency kit checklist).  
• Follow instructions on where to go. Follow evacuation routes specified by emergency workers. Do not take shortcuts.  
• Drive carefully with your headlights on. Make way for pedestrians and emergency vehicles.  
• Follow us on Facebook and/or X for news and updates.  

No, residents and the public are not permitted into affected evacuation areas during an evacuation order. 

The school board has comprehensive emergency plans. Parents will be notified and the school will release children based on their procedures to ensure all children are accounted for and safe.  

No, residents and the public are not permitted into affected evacuation areas during an evacuation order. 

In the event of an evacuation, we will provide locations and contact numbers for livestock relocation.  

When emergency personnel come to your door, notify them of the need for assistance and they will support those without vehicles in evacuation.  

When emergency personnel come to your door, notify them of the need for assistance and they will support the elderly or disabled in an evacuation.  

If an area is evacuated, the area will be secured, and residents/visitors will not be allowed access to the evacuated area. Homeowners should lock up before evacuating. 

Residents are urged to make alternative arrangements for pets, as the Reception Centre is not equipped to accommodate them.

Insurance coverage varies dependent on your individual policy. Check with your provider to review your coverage and additional information on what supports you are covered for during an evacuation.  

As good family emergency planning, it is recommended to speak with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and ensure there are no surprises during an emergency. 

The length of an evacuation will depend on the nature of the emergency. In the event of an evacuation, no one will be allowed to return to their homes until it is safe to do so. 

In the event of an evacuation, if you register with the Reception Centre, emergency response staff will contact you. All updated emergency status information will be shared on the Sturgeon County website and on Sturgeon County social media channels.