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Regional Roundup
May 6, 2026

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Wildfires destroy homes, force evacuation near Edmonton

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Municipalities have begun restricting fires as wildfires spark in the region. Sturgeon County issued a complete fire ban on May 2, the same day a wildfire destroyed three homes in the summer village of Sandy Beach. Parkland County also issued a fire ban as it battled a wildfire near Range Road 10 and Beau Rand Estates. Both fires have been contained. The province's wildfire risk is rated as very high to extreme due to dry conditions and wind. Gibbons has issued a fire ban, while the City of Leduc, Leduc County, Devon, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain are each under a fire advisory or restriction, meaning residents are urged to use caution when using campground and backyard fire pits.

Edmonton has postponed a planned controlled burn at Jan Reimer Park due to the wind, which could affect fire control and smoke management. City council recently approved a strategy to manage wildfire in areas where urban development meets undeveloped wildland vegetation — the wildland-urban interface. The four pillars of the strategy focus on managing vegetation, responding to wildfires, collaborating with neighbouring jurisdictions, and educating and preparing the community.

As of the afternoon of May 5, there were 24 wildfires burning across the province, but no wildfires of significant public interest that pose a threat to public safety, communities, or critical infrastructure. At a news conference at the Villeneuve Airport, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said the government has hired more than 550 firefighters, and it can access hundreds more through contracts. It also has 18 water bombers, as well as helicopters with night-vision capability. The most up-to-date information on potential evacuations can be found on the Alberta Emergency Alert website, while recent updates on wildfires can be found on the Alberta Wildfire website. Fire bans, restrictions, and advisories will be posted on a municipality's website.

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Economic development

Municipalities

  • The vote for Gibbons residents to give input on whether the town should dissolve and become a hamlet within Sturgeon County will take place on June 24 and 25. While the vote at the end of a viability review was once a binding decision, the province's Bill 28, which was introduced in April, may mean that the vote is a non-binding plebiscite.
  • Sturgeon County council submitted its viability review workbooks to Alberta Municipal Affairs, which outline how the county would manage finances, services, and governance if it absorbs Gibbons. A final viability review report is expected in mid-May, ahead of the resident vote. County officials said the assessment was hampered by incomplete data, as 2025 audited financial statements from Gibbons are not yet available. However, Gibbons issued a statement saying the timing of the town's audit and financial statements is in line with municipalities across Alberta.
  • A request from Gibbons town council to include a forensic audit in the operating budget will not be allowed, following legal advice. A letter from Harold Johnsrude, the town's official administrator, said a forensic audit is time-consuming and expensive, and it wouldn't necessarily guarantee a criminal investigation or a path to a civil lawsuit. Council approved an 8.2% property tax increase; there will be an information session about the 2026 budget and financial outlook on May 14.
  • St. Albert is outgrowing its reputation as a commuter city, with more and more people both living and working there, director of economic development Mike Erickson told the annual Economic Development Business Breakfast.
  • Morinville council approved a 1% municipal property tax increase for 2026, lower than the 2.46% originally budgeted due to stronger-than-expected assessment growth of about 8.2%. The additional revenue will go toward capital reserves for future infrastructure needs.
  • Strathcona County council approved a property tax increase of 4.88%, bringing the total residential tax impact to about 5.88% when provincial requisitions are included.
  • Parkland County has posted a public notice about Edmonton's mosquito management program, which runs until Sept. 30 and may include larvicide treatment in parts of Parkland County, Beaumont, and Strathcona County.
  • Construction projects in Spruce Grove this season will include road rehabilitation on Century Road and King Street, watermain and sewer upgrades, and a playground replacement at Harvest Ridge Park.
  • Stony Plain Mayor William Choy proclaimed May 4 to 8 as Economic Development Week, recognizing the contributions of economic development professionals to the community.
  • Devon has proclaimed May 9 as World Migratory Bird Day, recognizing the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats. The town is hosting free community activities on May 12, 13, and 16.
  • Stony Plain has released its 2026 Destination Guide, highlighting public art, cultural experiences, local events, and recreation.
  • The City of Fort Saskatchewan is accepting applications for its Grants to Organizations program until June 15, supporting local non-profit groups whose programs align with city priorities.
  • Strathcona County is inviting households and youth in Grades 7 to 12 to complete an online survey by May 22 to help shape the next four years of its Recreation and Culture Strategy. Other calls for public engagement in the region include requests for feedback on strategic plans in Spruce Grove and Parkland County, as well as public hearings on land use in the City of Leduc, Stony Plain, Parkland County, and Gibbons.

Headlines

  • The Alberta government is investing $2 million to plan an expansion of Strathcona County Hospital that would add up to 120 inpatient beds, with space for 32 more in the future. Health Minister Matt Jones said the project aims to reduce the need for more than 100,000 Sherwood Park-area residents to travel to Edmonton for inpatient care. The proposed expansion would also include surgical suites, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy rooms, and expanded lab, pharmacy, and mental health services.
  • The Alberta government is piloting a 120 km/h speed limit on a 22-kilometre stretch of Highway 2 near Leduc. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the government doesn't anticipate more collisions as most drivers on the highway are already going 120 km/h or faster.
  • Spruce Grove shared safety tips for its shared e-scooter and e-bike program, which typically has 75 to 150 vehicles available. E-scooters are permitted on sidewalks and multi-use paths, while e-bikes can also go on roads; both require users to be 16 or older.
  • The Lounge by CTK is now open at 240 St Matthew's Avenue in Spruce Grove, which Invest Spruce Grove celebrated on Instagram.
  • The Old Red Barn in Leduc County hosts Farm to Flame dinners from June to September. The multi-course open-fire meals are prepared by owners Matt and Melissa Schur and resident chef Tyson Wright, who won the gold medal at the Great Canadian Kitchen Party in 2025. Past menus have featured fire-smoked beef tenderloin, braised bison short rib, and coal-roasted vegetables.
  • Fort Saskatchewan-born astronaut Joshua Kutryk is set to launch to the International Space Station, joining a four-person crew for a six-month stay. Kutryk, hired by the Canadian Space Agency in 2017, said he plans to bring a family heirloom — a stopwatch from the late 1800s passed down through generations after his family immigrated from Ukraine to Alberta.

Happenings

Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

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