Woodlands County orders West Ridge evacuation during Whitecourt Fire
Woodlands County ordered residents in the West Ridge subdivision to leave on the evening of May 11 as a whitecourt fire burned south of Highway 43, east of Range Road 114. The county said the affected area was about 3.5 kilometres south of Whitecourt and told people to evacuate immediately.
Residents were told to gather pets, important documentation and medication before leaving. Evacuees must register at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt, the county said.
West Ridge evacuation order
The order covered residents in the area impacted by the fire, including the West Ridge subdivision. Woodlands County said the blaze was about one hectare in size and that firefighters and helicopters were responding.
The evacuation came after the wildfire was spotted earlier on May 11. For people in the affected area, the county’s instruction was straightforward: leave at once and report in at the Whitecourt centre.
Whitecourt Forest Area fires
The evacuation landed during another active fire period around Whitecourt. A separate wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area was first spotted on May 10, 22 kilometres northeast of the Town of Whitecourt and east of Blue Ridge Haul Road.
Alberta Wildfire said that fire grew to 11.67 acres and was being held later on May 11 after still being out of control that morning. Firefighters were assisted by airtankers, helicopters and heavy equipment, and Alberta Wildfire said a helicopter with night vision equipment was used overnight.
Alberta Wildfire said residents may see or smell smoke from that fire because of northeast winds. The cause is under investigation, while another wildfire south of Blue Ridge near Highway 43 grew to 66 ha before being brought under control.
May 4 fire advisory
The Town of Whitecourt issued a fire advisory on May 4 because of dry and windy weather conditions. Under that advisory, current fire pit and burn permits remain valid, new permit requests will be considered case by case, and backyard fire pit use and campfires are still allowed.
The town urged extreme caution, and the advisory remains in place until conditions improve. Alberta Wildfire said there have been 15 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area so far in 2026.
