Wildfire Update 2024-2025

Division News

Wildfire Update 2024-2025

Posted on August 29

Tags: Division News, Home Page Featured

Updated August 29, 2025

We are closely monitoring wildfire updates. To families impacted by wildfires, our thoughts are with you.

Wildfire Emergency Response Information for Families

Attention Northland School Division (NSD) Families,

Click here to view important information regarding wildfire emergency response planning. You can also view images of the information below.

Active Wildfires Impacting Northland School Communities

Chipewyan Lake (Chipewyan Lake School)

The Municipal District (MD) of Opportunity issued a mandatory evacuation order for the community of Chipewyan Lake due to the threat to the Chip/Alpac road on May 28th. Chipewyan Lake residents were ordered to evacuate to the Lakeview Sports Centre in Wabasca for registration and further instructions.

Visit the MD of Opportunity No. 17 Emergency Management Facebook page for updates https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688143379.

Letter to Families (August 29, 2025)

Dear Chipewyan Lake School families,

As shared on July 31st, classes for Chipewyan Lake School students will take place at Career Pathways School in Wabasca-Desmarais when the school year begins on Tuesday, September 2nd. Two classrooms have been prepared to welcome students, and in-person instruction will continue for all evacuated students at this temporary location as we await the reopening of Chipewyan Lake School.

To support families, we have arranged school bus transportation for students staying in Wabasca-Desmarais. Here are the morning pick-up times and locations:

8:35 a.m. – Fillmore Apartments
8:40 a.m. – Wabasca Inn
Drop-off at Career Pathways School

We understand that some families who did not lose their homes plan to return to Chipewyan Lake on September 5th. For students returning to the community, Chipewyan Lake School staff will provide weekly learning packages. Staff will deliver and collect these packages during scheduled home visits and will take time to explain the work to parents, guardians, and students.

Families who prefer to enroll their children at Mistassiniy School or St. Theresa School will also continue to receive support to make this move as smooth as possible.

We will continue to provide updates to keep families informed about learning plans and next steps. We will also share information about returning to learning at Chipewyan Lake School as soon as more details are available.

Sincerely,

Cal Johnson
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Northland School Division