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HomeFire, Police and Emergency ServicesEmergency PreparednessEvacuations and Shelter-in-Place
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Evacuations and Shelter-in-Place

Evacuations may occur at any time as the result of an imminent threat to life safety.

Preparedness

  • Being prepared for an evacuation is key and begins ahead of an emergency. To get prepared: 
    • Make an emergency kit 
    • Make an emergency plan 
    • Register your family through the MyAlberta Emergency Registration System (MAERS)
    • Know the risks
  • Stay informed through local media, this website, Facebook or Twitter

Three stages of an evacuation

1 – Evacuation alert

  • There is a potential danger in the area and you may have to evacuate. Be ready to leave on short notice.
  • Emergency officials will notify the population at risk of the need to evacuate
  • Information about the nature of the danger will be further communicated
  • Conditions can quickly change, and result in very short notice evacuation orders

2 – Evacuation order

  • You must leave the area now. It is not safe to stay. 
  • When issued, you must evacuate the affected area immediately
  • The affected area has restricted access while the Evacuation Order is in effect

3 – All clear

  • You may return to the area, the danger has passed.
  • If the danger returns, an Evacuation Alert or Order may be issued again

When an evacuation order is issued...

  • Take your emergency kit with you
  • Follow instructions of emergency responders
  • If possible, turn off electrical panel and the water main to your home
  • Lock windows and doors
  • Do not remain in areas under an evacuation order
  • Follow designated evacuation routes
    • If you require supports (shelter, food, water) visit an Emergency Social Services Site.  If you do not
    • require support, do not attend an ESS Site. Register online through MAERS.

Shelter-in-place

Shelter-in-place refers to remaining inside your home, school, or place of work during an emergency.  In some situations, it is safer to remain where you are than to evacuate. 

Residents will be advised to shelter-in-place through an alert or order during an incident.  This information will be shared through: 

  • Local media
  • Municipal website
  • Social media Facebook or Twitter

When a shelter-in-place order is issued...

  • Go indoors immediately and stay inside
  • Close and lock all windows and doors
  • Use stairs instead of elevators
  • Turn off furnaces, hot water heaters, ventilation and air conditioners
  • Do not operate kitchen or bathroom vents, clothes dryers or other appliances
  • Seal cracks or openings around windows and doors with tape and damp towels 
  • Remain inside until an all clear announcement is made

All-clear announcement

An all-clear announcement will be made via media outlets and emergency responders who may come door-to-door when a danger has passed and there is no longer a risk to life safety. An all-clear may be issued and lead into an evacuation alert or order, depending on the situation.

What to do after an evacuation

Return to your home, following information and instructions provided by emergency responders.  

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Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo footer logo

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

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