Alberta wildfires: Trudeau visits CAF base; conditions creating 'perfect storm' for fires

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stopped in Edmonton on Monday to meet some of the Canadian Armed Forces members who are helping Alberta's firefight.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stopped in Edmonton on Monday to meet some of the Canadian Armed Forces members who are helping Alberta's firefight.

The prime minister, Canada's Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, and Edmonton Centre Member of Parliament Randy Boissonnault toured the CAF's set up at CFB Edmonton and were shown the equipment being sent to front lines around the province.

More than 17,000 Albertans remain unable to go home because of wildfire risk.

Monday afternoon, as 90 wildfires burned across the central and northern half of the province, 15 evacuation orders remained in place, including Valleyview, which was evacuated Monday afternoon.

The majority of the wildfires are under control or being held, but 23 are classified as out of control by Alberta Wildfire.

"Hot and dry conditions throughout much of the province are creating the perfect storm for fires to start and grow quickly, which poses a significant and unpredictable threat to many communities," said Colin Blair, Alberta Emergency Management Agency's executive director.

Strong winds Monday and Tuesday may lead to more unpredictable behaviour, Alberta Wildfire added.