Local firefighters continue to deal with wildfires, as smoke from larger blazes drifted into our area this week.

Smoke from a major wildfire east of Highway 21, contributed to two multi-vehicle crashes near Sherwood Park Friday morning, May 12.

The first crash took place on Highway 21 near Township Road 540 shortly after 6 a.m. and involved 12 vehicles. Two drivers were taken to hospital.

A second, larger crash took place moments later on Highway 14, south of Sherwood Park between Highway 21 and Range Road 231. This crash involved 34 vehicles including four semi-trailer trucks. Twelve people were taken to hospital, including two with life-threatening injuries. One was transported by STARS air ambulance.

No new evacuations or wildfire alerts have been issued for Strathcona or Sturgeon counties this week, but firefighters continue to monitor and deal with hot spots.

Firefighters were at the wildfire site southeast of Fort Saskatchewan again Tuesday morning, May 16. This area south of Township Road 540, north of 534, east of Range Road 221 and west of 215 was evacuated on May 5, but brought under control the next day and residents of Pleasant View Estates and Newton Estates were able to return home.

Fire bans are in place in Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Sturgeon, Lamont and Strathcona counties. No open fires or charcoal barbecues are allowed.

Smoke from the many fires west of Edmonton drifted into our area Tuesday, prompting an air quality alert.