High winds wreak havoc in southern Alberta, causing highway closures and spurring massive fires
Posted Jan 4, 2012 3:16 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A grass fire whipped up by strong winds is forcing people from their homes in southern Alberta and has destroyed two 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 burning north of Fort Macleod is also threatening a feedlot and a home.
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.
RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb says a number of semis and a holiday trailer have been blown over.
“Highway 2 is definitely closed, and will be closed for at least the next few hours,” says Sgt. Webb. “There is a detour available, but it’s very lengthy, so anybody going through should just plan it better, wait a few hours and you’ll probably get through then.”
The RCMP is also advising drivers of empty transport trucks to avoid highways between High River and Claresholm because of extremely high winds.
Another grass fire near Walsh in southeastern Alberta is spreading quickly because of high winds and has crossed into Saskatchewan.
A third blaze has sprung up east of Nanton after a power line came down.
