An out-of-control wildfire 19 km northwest of Nordegg forced the evacuation of residents and visitors on Wednesday.
Fire officials said the fire in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area has grown to 366.50 hectares. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Officials said the fire was discovered on July 19 and initially responded well to firefighting efforts. But increased temperatures, low relative humidity and winds on July 20 saw an increase in wildfire behaviour resulting in firefighting efforts being less effective.
Wildland firefighters, as well as helicopters and an airtanker, working on this wildfire.
Clearwater County issued an evacuation order for Snow Creek PRA, Dry Haven PRA, Centre for Outdoor Education, Fish Lake PRA, Frontier Lodge and Goldeye Lake PRA and area.
A 2-hour evacuation alert was also issued for the hamlet of Nordegg (north and south subdivisions).
Residents and visitors in the Nordegg area were asked to be prepared to leave within two hours of being notified.
Evacuees with holiday trailers or campers needing an overnight location for lodging could relocate to the North Saskatchewan River Park in Rocky Mountain House, at 394024 Range Road 7-3A.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 39 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area which have burned 366.5 hectares.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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