WATCH ABOVE: A number of grass fires unfolded across central Alberta Wednesday, destroying homes and displacing people. Shallima Maharaj has more.
EDMONTON — Dry conditions and high winds fuelled several grass fires in Alberta on Wednesday.
A grass fire burning near Ardrossan was brought under control Wednesday evening after residents in the Beverly Hills subdivision of Strathcona County were asked to be ready for a possible evacuation earlier in the day.
Crews worked throughout the afternoon and evening to contain a grass fire in the area of Range Road 213 and Township Road 531. Shortly after 8 p.m., the county said an evacuation order would not be necessary.
“This was a pretty fast-moving fire so we’ve had all resources on hand,” said Vern Elliott, deputy fire chief with Strathcona County Emergency Services.
“We had what was called a crossover, so we had low humidity and higher temperature that contributed greatly to the spread and the intensity of the fire.”
Heavy smoke from the fire forced the closure of Highway 16 in both directions between Range Road 211 and 215 for several hours Wednesday. The road was reopened just before 8 p.m.
Firefighters were expected to focus their efforts Thursday on extinguishing hot spots in the Beverly Hills subdivision. Residents were being asked to be prepared for changing conditions, despite the expectation an evacuation order would not be necessary.
READ MORE: Grass fire rips through homes near Wetaskiwin
A second grass fire in Strathcona County shut down Township Road 562 in both directions between Range Road 211 and 213 Wednesday evening. However, officials said there was no immediate threat to residents in this area. The road was reopened later Wednesday night.
Fire crews from Bruderheim and Fort Saskatchewan were called in to fight the fires.
Two abandoned trailers were damaged in the fires, and a couple houses suffered melted siding. It’s not known what caused the fires at this point.
Elliott said one firefighter suffered minor burns to his arm.
A smaller crew would continue to fight the fire at Township Road 562 on Thursday. People are asked to stay away from the immediate area if possible.
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