Grass fire near Airdrie forces evacuation of Sharp Hill area

Fire threatens homes in Sharp Hill A grass fire on the southeast side of Airdrie is threatening homes in the area and residents are being evacuated. Alesia Fieldberg is at the scene.

Strong winds fanned the flames of a fire on the southeast side of Airdrie forcing the evacuation of residents from the community of Sharp Hill.

RCMP and fire crews were in the neighbourhood to assist residents and officials say all were safely evacuated.

“We had to evacuate that entire neighbourhood in fairly short order, with the winds that were blowing and the dry conditions, the fire moved really fast and we had to evacuate all those individuals,” said RCMP Corporal Curtis Peters.

One home was destroyed by fire and crews say a second was at risk.

A reception centre was set up at Genesis Place for evacuees.

Crews have the fire under control and they are watching for flare ups and hot spots.

“With the rain and the improvements in the weather, the fire is under control and they’re making some really good progress,” said Peters.

Smoke could be seen from Highway 2 and traffic on the roadway was also affected.

Officials allowed people to start returning home at 9:30 p.m. and say gas and power have been restored to the area.

Those people who live along Stage Coach Trail are being asked to meet with Rocky View Fire officials at a designated muster point at Stage Coach Trail and Township Road 264.

They will be taken into the area with a fire escort to assess their residences.