HINTON – The communities of Robb and Mercoal have been evacuated after a wildfire escaped the perimeter and grew to 400 hectares on Friday (May 30).
Although previously classified as being held, the wildfire became more active due to hot temperatures and windy conditions. It is now classified as out of control.
“Firefighters continue working to contain the wildfire with the assistance of water trucks,” Alberta Wildfire stated in an update. “They’re searching for and extinguishing hotspots which often involves digging deep into the ground and dousing the smoldering fire with water.”
Residents in these communities should gather important documents, medication, pets and supplies to be away for three days. The reception centre is the Holiday Inn Express in Edson. Check the alert for more information.
The wildfire is not threatening Hinton at this time. The fire is located roughly 50 kilometres southeast of Hinton, east of Jasper National Park in the Rocky Mountain foothills.
This wildfire was caused by lightning. Alberta Wildfire says lightning causes 30 per cent of wildfires each year in the Edson Forest Area.
Peers, a small hamlet east of Edson, was evacuated Thursday (May 29) due to a separate out-of-control wildfire, which is now 1,400 hectares and remains under investigation.
“This afternoon, both of our fires had some major changes, and these changes had caused quite a few challenges for us,” said Brigitte Lemieux, Yellowhead County deputy mayor, in a Friday (May 30) video message.
Yellowhead County firefighters are setting up sprinkler protection systems in Mercoal, Robb and Peers.
Firefighters are also responding to a 16-hectare wildfire around 12 kilometres northeast of Cynthia on the northeast corner of Sink Hole Lake. The wildfire is classified as out of control.
Although Highway 16 remains open at this time, other highways in the region have been impacted. Check 511 Alberta for the latest updates.
The fire danger in the Edson Forest Area is very high, and fire bans are in effect for Hinton, Edson and the surrounding forest area. In Jasper National Park, the fire danger is rated as moderate.
Residents can get regular updates about the wildfire at Yellowhead County’s Facebook page or Alberta Wildfire’s website.
