Photo: Sherri Lemaigre/Facebook
Residents of a hamlet approximately 80 kilometers west of Edmonton have been ordered to evacuate due to two large wildfires.
On Saturday evening, RCMP say due to high winds, the fire that’s just south of Highway 16 between Range Road 70 and 71 is quickly heading west towards Entwistle.
Alberta Emergency Alert says Parkland County has ordered that everyone west of Range Road 65, north of Township Road 530 to Township Road 534, including all residents of Entwistle, must evacuate immediately.
The critical alert, issued just after 6 pm on Saturday, advised people to collect important documents, medication, and enough food and water to be away from home for at least three days.
It told evacuees to head west on Highway 16. RCMP say people can go to Tomahawk Community Center, and further information will be provided to them there.
While the cause of the fires have not been determined, Alberta Wildfire says dry conditions and wind create perfect fire conditions.
On Sunday, The hamlet of Evansburg, which is just to the northwest of Entwistle across the Pembina River in Yellowhead County, was also evacuated.
Alberta Wildfire said the fire started in Trestle Creek within Parkland County and was spreading to the northwest towards the hamlet of Entwistle. “That fire is encompassing about 200 hectares at this point in time. There is also another fire which is north of Highway 16 within Yellowhead County that is closer to the Evansburg area.”
Somewhere between 300 and 500 residents have been forced out of their homes by the fires, adding the evacuation order would likely continue for at least another 24 hours.
A fire ban is currently in effect for Parkland County, and Albertans can check for fire bans in their area by visiting the Alberta Wildfire website
Map of Wildfires in Alberta
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