Two Alberta communities evacuated due to fires

Residents in Nordegg have been evacuated as crews battle a wildfire in the area. Photo courtesy of Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services.

Residents in the hamlet of Lodgepole have been advised to evacuate the area due to a wildfire.

Officials said the fire was first spotted by Sustainable Resource Development eight kilometres from the community on Sunday afternoon.

By 9 p.m. the fire was located less than two kilometres from the hamlet.

Heavy winds had caused the fire to jump the Pembina River, putting residents at risk.

Officials said that all 100 residents had been accounted for by Sunday evening.

The fire has been estimated to be about 250 hectares and moving southeast.

“There are about 50 fire fighters on it along with eight helicopters and various air tankers and heavy equipment on it as well,” wildfire communications officer Geoffrey Driscoll told CTV News.

Residents have been advised to report to the Mackenzie Centre near the Omniplex in Drayton Valley (5737 45 Avenue).

Road blockades have been set up on Highway 753 and Township Road 490, Highway 620 and Elk River Road and Highway 620 and Range Road 85.

Lodgepole is located 131 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.

NORDEGG EVACUATED

An evacuation order was also been issued for the hamlet of Nordegg in Clearwater County, west of Rocky Mountain House.

“They were still selling ice cream. They were still preparing meals at the lodge. They were still selling gas,” resident Linda Latter explained.

“I think until the last 20 minutes life just kind of went on, although we were prepared because we were on the one hour notification since Thursday.”

Officials said the fire, just two kilometres from that community, has breached containment lines due to dry, windy conditions.

The fire has been burning near Nordegg since last Sunday and officials told CTV News it has now grown to 160 hectares.

There were 150 fire fighters on the scene as well as other heavy equipment.

Residents have been advised to head to the Curling Rink in Rocky Mountain House (5332 50 Street).

With files from Bill Fortier, Jeff Harrington