An out-of-control wildfire has triggered an evacuation order south of Whitecourt, with officials urging residents to leave immediately.
Woodlands County said the fire is burning east of Range Road 114 and south of Highway 43, including the West Ridge subdivision.
All residents in the affected area have been ordered to evacuate right away. Officials are advising people to gather pets, important documents and medication, and to register at the evacuation reception centre at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt.
The wildfire, estimated at about 55 hectares, is located roughly 3.5 kilometres south of Whitecourt and is moving south due to windy conditions.
Woodlands County Reeve Dave Kusch says crews are working to build a firebreak to help protect the community.
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“We’re trying to work it all night,” Kusch says. “There are going to be crews on the ground and night-vision helicopters.”
He says dry conditions have helped fuel the fire’s rapid spread.
“Nothing’s greened up yet,” Kusch says. “You still have a lot of underbrush and deadfall around the area. It went up like a tinderbox, unfortunately.”
Alberta Wildfire says firefighters, helicopters and air tankers are actively working to contain the blaze.
Kusch says the weather forecast is providing some optimism.
“It’s supposed to be a lot better than it was Monday, with improved wind conditions and temperatures,” he says.
The evacuation order was issued at 5:31 p.m. Monday through an Alberta Emergency Alert, with authorities warning the fire is burning out of control and could continue to spread.
Officials say further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.