Tolko shuts down mill due to wildfire

Tolko’s Athabasca OSB division in Slave Lake, Alberta has temporarily suspended operations as the province has issued an evacuation alert for the town due to a wildfire.

The Vernon based company says all its employees, other than those who have been identified as essential to asset protection, have been evacuated and sent home.

“With the Town on an eight-hour evacuation notice, we want people to be prepared in case a mandatory evacuation order is issued,” says Vice President, Strand-based Business, Jim Baskerville. “The safety of our employees and their families is our priority.”

Baskerville says their essential employees will now initiate fire suppression activities to protect the mill and will coordinate efforts with the town, the municipal district, and the province as the situation develops.

About 10,000 people have been forced from their homes due to fires in northern Alberta.

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The one in the Slave Lake area is said to be burning about 30 kilometres away from the town.