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Donations being gathered for Fort McMurray evacuees - Sylvan Lake Fire Department extinguish blaze on local farm

Members of the Sylvan Lake Fire Department extinguished a fire at a nearby Hutterite colony located just off Highway 781 on Tuesday morning.
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UNDER CONTROL - Members of the Sylvan Lake Fire Department tended to a fire located on a Hutterite colony just off Highway 781 on Tuesday morning. The blaze was easily contained and put out with assistance from Red Deer County Fire.

Members of the Sylvan Lake Fire Department extinguished a fire at a nearby Hutterite colony located just off Highway 781 on Tuesday morning. The blaze was in control when members arrived on scene and proceeded to ensure it was put out safely.

Although the owners of the farm did have a burn permit for the day of the scheduled fire, Red Deer County had implemented a fire ban that morning making the fire unsafe.

The owners were unaware of the recently implemented fire and went ahead with their scheduled burn. Members from both Sylvan Lake and Red DeerCounty Fire Departments attended the fire which, although a larger fire, was put out safely. Fire bans will remain in affect for Red Deer County until further notice.

It is advisable that residents of Sylvan Lake and area refrain from fire based activities due to current dry conditions.

With fires currently ravaging Fort McMurray and northern Alberta leaving many without homes, citizens of Sylvan Lake are rallying in support.

Currently there are two locations available to drop of donations including Golden Horizons Wellness Centre, ATB Financial, Sylvan Lake Traditional Karate and the local constituency office of Don MacIntyre.

Currently the government of Alberta has offered to match all money raised through through the Canadian Red Cross, with donations being accepted at the Balloons Galore located at 1-50520 50 St.

On a municipal level, the Town of Sylvan Lake has registered with the Alberta Public Works Association, joining the a list of communities willing to send staff and personnel north to assist in any way possible.

Given the recent fires in the areas surrounding Sylvan Lake, the Town stated they are not in a position to send fire crews north. Currently the Town is awaiting to hear back on approval to send additional personnel for areas such as family services support or emergency management personnel.

In addition, Sylvan Lake News and Black Press have also opened an online support system where donations can be made.

Visit www.blackpress4good.com/blackpress4fortmac for more information on how to support residents of Fort McMurray.

editor@sylvanlakenews.com