An evacuation order for the village of Carmangay, Alta., has been lifted now that a grass fire in the area appears to be under control.
On Sunday, an Alberta Emergency Alert was issued at 3:15 p.m. warning people in Vulcan County to prepare for possible evacuation as a wildfire spread.
At around 5:30 p.m., people living in Carmangay — located about 60 kilometres northwest of Lethbridge — were evacuated due to a grass fire in the southwest corner of Vulcan County. RCMP had described the fire as “out of control” and 11 to 16 kilometres wide.
Residents were told to head to the village of Champion and gather at the Champion community hall.
Shortly after 7 p.m., the wildfire was contained and the evacuation order ended, according to Alberta Emergency Alert.
RCMP said at least one person suffered injuries related to the wildfire.
According to RCMP, a woman was found on the side of the road in the Claresholm area suffering from serious injuries. She was picked up by a passerby who drove her to an area hospital. RCMP said she was then transported to hospital in Calgary by EMS for further care.
Wildfire alert for Municipal District of Willow Creek ends
A separate Alberta Emergency Alert issued for the Municipal District of Willow Creek on Sunday is no longer in effect.
The alert was issued at 3:15 p.m. and warned of two wildfires east of Highway 2 between the towns of Stavely and Fort Macleod.
Residents in the Municipal District of Willow Creek were warned to prepare for a possible evacuation.
At 4:37 p.m., the alert was updated to say an “out-of-control” wildfire was moving toward Claresholm, pushed by extreme winds.
The Alberta Emergency Alert was cancelled by 7 p.m., with an update saying fire crews had held the fires.
A note on the M.D. of Willow Creek website on Sunday evening said any residents who had left their property were able to return.
RCMP said a total of 6,500 hectares in the M.D. of Willow Creek were impacted by the fire.
Six homesteads and one residential structure were damaged, according to RCMP.
EMS said three patients were taken to hospital in Lethbridge, one of whom had been burned and two others suffering from smoke inhalation.
In addition, eight people were treated for various reasons at a walk-in facility in Fort Macleod, according to EMS.
Strong winds batter southern Alberta
A strong low-pressure system developed in Alberta on Sunday, resulting in fierce westerly winds across southern portions of the province.
Wind warnings remained in place across much of central and southern Alberta Monday, as the low-pressure system tracked eastward.
The wind and fresh snow resulted in poor visibility east of Calgary, where between 50 and 70 vehicles were involved in a crash on Highway 1 near Brooks on Monday.
Environment Canada released weather event information for more than 60 locations in Alberta. The following is a summary of wind gusts in kilometres per hour received by the agency, as of 11 a.m. Monday:
- Nakiska Ridgetop: 159
- Waterton Park gate: 135
- Claresholm: 124
- Ardenville: 120
- Bassano: 119
- Carway: 117
- Sedalia: 115
- Fort Macleod: 115
- Lethbridge: 113
- Blood Tribe: 111
- Barons: 111
- Raymond: 109
- Acadia Valley: 109
- Sheerness: 109
- Pollockville: 107
- Finnegan: 107
- Kirriemuir: 107
- Iron Springs: 106
- Travers: 106
- Atlee 106
- Stavely: 104
- Hussar: 104
- Hand Hills: 104
- Cappon: 104
- Enchant: 102
- Cabin Lake: 102
- Sunnynook: 102
- Medicine Hat: 100
- Milk River: 100
- Del Bonita: 100
- Hemaruka: 100
- Bull Springs: 100
- Brocket: 98
- Consort: 98
- Warner: 98
- Fleet: 98
- Pincher Creek: 96
- Oyen: 96
- Gleichen: 96
- Social Plains: 96
- Gooseberry Lake: 96
- Buffalo: 96
- Schuler: 94
- Neir: 94
- Craigmyle: 94
- Alliance: 94
- Onefour: 93
- Vauxhall: 93
- Wrentham: 93
- Champion: 93
- Strathmore: 93
- Beiseker: 93
- Pinhorn: 93
- Queenstown: 91
- Stettler: 91
- Barnwell: 91
- Kinsella: 91
- Tide Lake: 91
- Ralston: 91
- Lodge: 91
- Lathom: 91
— With files from Kaylen Small and Karen Bartko, Global News