Grass fire near Blackie prompts Emergency Alert
Posted Mar 31, 2015 6:51 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A growing wild grass fire, which has grown by strong winds near the community of Blackie, southeast of Calgary, has prompted the MD of Foothills No. 31 to issue an Alberta Emergency Alert.
The MD has also declared a State of Local Emergency.
The emergency alert says the fire is moving in a north-easterly direction and winds are shifting directions.
The alert says:
“Grassland fire burning north east of Blackie in the area of 482 Avenue and 304 Street East and is moving quickly in a north-easterly direction. Winds in the area are gusting at high speed and shifting direction. People are asked to avoid the area and prepare for possible evacuation. Smoke may severely reduce visibility and create hazardous road conditions.”:
Prepare for possible evacuation. Follow the directions of local authorities. Visibility will be affected. Close doors, windows and vents. Leave the area if it is safe to do so. Seek shelter in an open area clear from trees, plants and flammable structures. ”
Glenn Logan, who was on his way home to Lomond from Calgary, drove by the blaze earlier in the day Wednesday.
He tells 660News it did not look good.
“When I turned east at High River, you could see this huge smoke on the horizon as I got closer to Blackie, it was about five miles northeast of Blackie, you could see it quite easily from the highway,” Logan said.
