Wildfire rages west of Edmonton
Posted May 23, 2013 12:18 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
About 200 people have been ordered from their homes in a rural area west of Edmonton as a wildfire fanned by heavy winds burns out of control.
The county of Brazeau says it has delivered 200 evacuation notices to residents in the Lindale area.
No homes have been destroyed, but another 200 people in the nearby Birchwood area are on one-hour evacuation alert.
Municipal crews are fighting the 36-hectare blaze supported by Alberta water bombers, helicopters, bulldozers and ground crews.
The wildfire danger in many parts of Alberta is listed as high to extreme.
Meanwhile the Canadian Red Cross is on hand, supporting residents of Birchwood and the surrounding area.
A reception centre has been set up in Drayton Valley to help evacuees.
After receiving a call from Brazeau County Wednesday afternoon, a team of Red Cross volunteers was deployed to Drayton Valley to support a shelter for those affected.
The Red Cross is assisting with shelter as well as supplying about 80 cots at the Drayton Valley Omniplex.
