PrintHigh Level evacuated, including community hospital
The entire community of High Level has been evacuated, including 20 patients and long-term-care residents at the Northwest Health Centre, as the Chuckegg Creek Fire continues to threaten the town.
Patients and residents from the hospital have been flown to facilities in Grande Prairie and Peace River.
In all, more than 4,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes in the region about 750 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. The bulk of the evacuees are from High Level and the nearby First Nation at the Bushe River Reserve.
An emergency reception centre has been opened in the town of Slave Lake, 500 kilometres to the southeast.
Alberta Health Services says its North Zone Emergency Operations Centre has been activated as a result of the out-of-control wildfire.
Wildfire Resource pages for AHS staff and for Alberta residents are now available on the AHS website.
More information is available on the Alberta Government’s emergency services website.
Environment Canada has also published air quality alerts for a number of communities affected by smoke from the fire.
United Nurses of Alberta will update this information with links to any new posts on social media or the AHS website as they become available.
Members who have concerns about employment issues, how they will be paid during the disruption, accessing paid leave if necessary, mandated work during days off, travel expenses and other assistance are also welcome to call UNA staff at 1-800-252-9394 or contact their union through social media.
