Some residents of Grande Prairie County in northern Alberta had to immediately evacuate their homes due to the threat of a nearby forest fire.
The county issued an evacuation order at 8:46 p.m. MT, reporting that a fire was located four kilometers east of Teepee Creek near Range Road 31 and Township Road 740. The fire was moving away from the community, the alert said.
According to a Facebook post from the county, the order applies from Kleskun Creek north to Township Road 742. The order also applies to the Riverstone Golf Course.
The alert says residents should head north to Township Road 742 and then west to Highway 733. Evacuees should report to the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre at 11633 100 Street in Grande Prairie.
In addition to the evacuated area, all residents of Township Road 744 to 750 and Township Road 744 to 730 and Range Road 32 are on evacuation alert, the county said. Residents should be prepared to leave the area, but no evacuation is necessary at this time.
Evacuees are advised to bring pets, important documents, medicines, medical equipment, and enough food and water to last seven days away from home.
According to the Alberta wildfire map, the fire was estimated to be 40 hectares in size at 5:44 p.m.
