Wind fueling massive wildfire in Strathcona County

Emergency crews on the scene of a wildfire in north Strathcona County, in the area of Township Road 564 and Range Road 213A, on Tuesday, May 21.

A day after fire crews were called to a wildfire in Strathcona County, that continued to grow overnight and Wednesday, officials said crews may have started to gain the upper hand on the blaze.

On Tuesday, just after 1 p.m. fire crews were called to a wildfire in north Strathcona County, in the area of Township Road 564 and Range Road 213A near Redwater.

Officials said Tuesday afternoon the blaze was about 50 acres in size, but it grew to about 640 acres by later that evening - officials said it remained the same size and was out of control into Wednesday morning.

However, firefighters working on the blaze had managed to create a barrier to contain the blaze, although it was still considered out of control.

According to the county, 30 firefighters are on the scene fighting the blaze, and building fire guards around the main fire areas.

On Tuesday evening, officials said one area was evacuated, but only one home was in that area – and by later that night, the residents were back in their home.

No other homes are at risk; crews have contacted residents living near Highway 15, and will provide regular updates.

According to Strathcona County fire officials, the wind was making the task of battling the blaze difficult.

“The wind has been a significant problem for us today, and has been blowing the fire towards the west and north,” Strathcona County Fire Chief Darrell Reid said. “We’ve had a lot of spot fires as well.

“It’s going to be awhile before this fire is considered under control.”

It’s believed the blaze started in the grass, and moved to the trees, the cause of the fire is not yet known.

Much of capital region, province under fire bans

While much of the region in and around Edmonton is facing dry, hot, and windy conditions, officials are taking precautions – and issuing all-out fire bans.

On Wednesday morning, St. Albert announced the city had issued a fire ban – meaning any burning, including open burning, backyard fire pits, solid fuel cook stoves in parks and fireworks within the city is prohibited.

That news came after the City of Edmonton also declared a fire ban, after issuing a fire warning before the May long weekend – the current fire ban also bars open burning, backyard fire pits, solid fuel cook stoves in parks and fireworks.

Both of those regions follow Strathcona County, which has been under a fire ban since May 7.

Most other counties around Edmonton remain under fire advisories, more information on the current fire ban or fire advisory status throughout the province can be found online.

Wildfire near Spruce Grove out

Also Tuesday, fire crews west of Edmonton managed to get the upper hand on a grass fire early, and had the blaze, in a field near Spruce Grove, out by later that night.

Officials said that at one point, about 35 firefighters were working on the blaze that is believed to have started in a field west of Edmonton, in the area of Range Road 273 and Township Road 522 at about 3 p.m.

The fire mostly burned in the field, but spread to nearby trees – officials said the blaze covered about 75 acres of land.

However, by late afternoon, the blaze was contained and crews were putting out hotspots.

Officials said Tuesday that they believed the fire was started due to an improperly discarded cigarette butt.

For more information on wildfires burning throughout Alberta, go to the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development website.

With files from Laura Tupper