High wind spur on three grass fires forcing evacuations and destroys buildings
Posted Jan 4, 2012 10:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Fire crews have managed to contain three wildfires burning south of the city.
The fire whipped up by strong wind is forcing people from their homes in southern Alberta and destroyed several structures.
Cynthia Vizzuti with the Municipal District of Willow Creek says evacuation warnings are being phoned in to between 100 and 200 households.
The blaze, which burned north of Fort Macleod threatened a feedlot and a few homes before being brought under control.
The fire started west of Highway 2 around noon Wednesday and quickly jumped the roadway. The mass amount of smoke has reduced visibility and, as a result, the stretch between Fort Macleod and Granum is closed.
A fire near Nanton destroyed and damaged several homes before crews were able to bring it under control. RCMP say it was caused by a downed powerline.
Another grass fire near Walsh in southeastern Alberta is spread quickly and crossed over into Saskatchewan because of high wind before being brought under control.
