Thunderstorms bring hope of rain, but also lightning, for Alberta’s wildfires
Posted June 1, 2019 3:48 pm.
Last Updated June 1, 2019 5:38 pm.
ALBERTA (CP) — Crews battling Alberta wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and put others on evacuation notice faced another challenge Saturday: thunderstorms.
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While such storms bring the promise of rain, they also produce lightning, which can spark new fires and strong winds to fan the flames.
Wildfire information officer Leah Lovequist says a lightning strike on Saturday afternoon hit a tree south of a lookout tower not far from Swan Hills in the Slave Lake Forest Area, causing a small fire that crews were dealing with.
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Slave Lake has been on evacuation notice for several days due to a large fire 33 kilometres to the northeast, and residents have been told to be ready to leave with only eight hours’ notice.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the town on Saturday, saying conditions were favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain.
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The forecast also called for possible thunderstorms in High Level, where residents have been out of their homes for over a week due to a wildfire that’s still out of control and is 280,000 hectares in size.
