UPDATE: For the latest information on the Marlboro-area wildfire on Monday, May 20, 2019, click here.
Several homes were evacuated near Marlboro, Alta., about 15 kilometres west of Edson, due to a wildfire in the Alberta foothills on Sunday.
Yellowhead County officials said in an updated Sunday night that the fire came within less than a kilometre of the hamlet. No injuries or damage have been reported.
On Sunday at 6:30 p.m., police said the wildfire had jumped Highway 16 and was burning on both sides of the road. Several homes were at risk, and residents were being evacuated.
Traffic was being stopped on Highway 16 because of smoke and zero visibility.
The province initially said the highway would remain closed between Obed and Highway 47 overnight, however around 11 p.m. the county said the road would reopen at midnight.
Smoke could be seen near Highway 16 on Sunday evening.According to Alberta Emergency Alert, a reception centre has been set up for evacuees at the Best Western Hotel in Edson.
Residents who are being evacuated can check in at the reception centre. The county said 87 people were evacuated.
Some residents in Edson were without power Sunday evening due to a tree on a power line, according to Fortis Alberta.
The outage began shortly past 7 p.m. and was impacting approximately 2,000 customers. The power was restored around 9:30 p.m.
READ MORE: Wildfire danger ‘extreme’ in Slave Lake: Alberta Wildfire
As of Sunday at 10 a.m., Alberta Wildfire reported five out of control wildfires burning in the province.
READ MORE: Crews continue to battle out-of-control wildfires in Alberta’s Peace Region
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