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Monday, May 16, 2011

Fire Destroys Town, Listeners 'Click' On Radio

It may sound like a movie plot, but it isn't. A series of wildfires engulfed the town of Slave Lake, Alberta on Sunday knocking the local radio station Lake 92.7 FM CHSL off the air.

Slave Lake (pop 7,000) is a town in northern Alberta, Canada, in the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River. The town was put in immediate danger from wildfires in the area. Winds upwards of 80 km/h pushed the flames into the town and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued, but with highways being closed, residents were urged to make their way to beaches, large parking lots, and open green spaces.  Thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes and businesses after an evacuation order was declared by officials.



Slave Lake's town hall caught fire shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday, followed by the high school, library, and main mall. The hospital was evacuated, with 29 patients moved to hospitals in neighbouring Westlock, Boyle and Athabasca.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Lake 92.7 FM is using its Facebook page as a clearinghouse for information and aid. Click here for station website. The town has no newspaper and no TV station.



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