Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Edmonton to meet with Canadian Armed Forces personnel assisting in wildfire relief efforts in Alberta around 11 a.m..After his meeting, Trudeau will jet off for Seoul, South Korea..The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is supporting Alberta as the province battles unprecedented wildfires..Troops from the third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and Combat Engineer Regiment have established bases of operations in the province..Army reserve soldiers drawn from across Alberta have also been deployed..Over the last few days, the units deployed to the Grande Prairie, Fox Creek and Drayton Valley areas..Albertans will see the movement by vehicle on roads and in the air, as some forces and equipment will be moved by Royal Canadian Air Force fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters..“The capabilities the CAF can bring to support Alberta are firefighting support to aid in mop-up operations and basic firefighting duties,” the UCP government stated..“Airlift resources for increased mobility and logistical responsibilities, such as evacuating isolated communities, will also be provided. Engineering support will be provided where required, incorporating heavy equipment resources.”.READ MORE Wildfires continue to burn and grow in Alberta.As of Sunday, 87 active wildfires in the forest protection area of Alberta and 24 are classified as out of control, according to the latest figures..On Saturday, there were 83 wildfires..On Sunday, the UCP government said Alberta remains under a provincial state of emergency and the provincial Emergency Coordination Centre remains at level four, the top level..“Approximately 19,342 have evacuated at this time. And there are nine reception centres that have registered evacuees. That is an increase in the number of evacuees due to three new evacuation orders in the past 24 hours,” said Colin Blair, executive director for Alberta Emergency Management Agency..“The wildfire situation is extremely volatile, hot and dry conditions throughout much of Alberta present an ever-increasing risk of new wildfire starting and the potential for current wildfires to grow quickly. This situation represents a significant and unpredictable threat to many communities in our province.”.Rainbow Lake, Leduc County and Sturgeon Lake First Nation have been evacuated..The UCP government said it is working with local authorities in the County of Grande Prairie and the City of Grande Prairie to construct a fireguard around the city.
