An out-of-control wildfire northwest of Calgary led to an evacuation order being issued on Tuesday night.
Just before 8 p.m., the Municipal District of Bighorn said the wildfire was located about 25 kilometres west of Water Valley, Alta., which is about 80 kilometres northwest of Calgary.
The area under evacuation order is bordered by the Red Deer River to the north and stretches from Highway 40 to Range Road 60. Highway 579 was closed Wednesday morning.
The MD of Bighorn said RCMP roadblocks were set up on Highway 579, on Highway 40 and at the Burnt Timber Gas Plant.
A reception centre is open at the Water Valley Community Centre.
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An out-of-control wildfire near Water Valley, Alta., forced an evacuation order Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
The fire was about 85 hectares in size as of 11 p.m. Tuesday. In an update at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday, the MD of Bighorn said the fire remained the same size.
Officials said Wednesday that residents in the MD of Bighorn west of Water Valley (Doc Mills Road RR62A, Whispering Pine Road TWP 294A and Burnt Timber Road) are under an evacuation alert, which means they should be prepared to leave on one hour’s notice if needed.
The evacuation order was not shared through the Alberta Emergency Alert system on Tuesday. People can visit the MD of Bighorn’s Facebook page or sign up for alerts for the latest information on the wildfire.
For the latest information on which areas in Alberta are under an evacuation alert or order due to a wildfire, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website.
For the latest information on the wildfire status and danger across the province, visit the Alberta Wildfire website.
The latest information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province can be found on the Alberta fire bans website.