Wildfires erupted across northern Alberta on Tuesday afternoon, causing alarm in communities bracing for another hot and windy day. Emergency alerts and evacuation orders were issued as the fires, fueled by strong winds, spread rapidly across regions north, east, and west of Edmonton.
In Edmonton, a grassfire halted traffic on Anthony Henday Drive and forced evacuations of nearby businesses. The fire near Redwater, Alta., has burned nearly 400 hectares since Saturday, ignited by an all-terrain vehicle catching fire. As Alberta faces extreme wildfire danger, officials warn that dry, hot, and windy conditions will continue throughout the week, elevating risks across much of the province.
Kai Bowering, an information officer with Alberta Wildfire, stressed that the wildfire threat remains high due to very dry conditions. The fire weather index has rated many areas, including central and northern Alberta, with extreme danger levels. The regions around Grande Prairie and Lac La Biche are considered particularly at risk.
Evacuation orders are in effect for the village of Boyle and parts of Athabasca County, affecting about 800 residents. The fire near Boyle has burned around 320 hectares, and officials are advising evacuees to prepare for several days away from their homes.
Other areas like Thorhild and Sturgeon counties are also under evacuation orders, with authorities urging residents to stay alert for potential evacuations.
The wildfire near the Redwater Provincial Recreation Area is continuing to spread, with Sturgeon County residents being warned of further evacuations. Authorities have urged Albertans to exercise extreme caution to avoid sparking new wildfires.
Source: Swifteradio.com
