Wildfire alert cancelled for community northwest of Edmonton

An Emergency Alert that was issued in Lac Ste Anne County — roughly 50 kilometers northwest of Edmonton — due to a wildfire has now been cancelled, according to the Government of Alberta.

The province issued the alert at 12:40 p.m. Monday, saying a fire that is burning west of Bilby Common was heading east. The alert was cancelled around two hours later when Alberta Wildfire said the blaze was under control.

Residents in the area were being advised to be prepared to evacuate with 30 minutes notice.

A reception centre was setup in the Onoway Heritage Centre, located at 4708 Lac Ste Anne Trail North. Additionally, Township 544 between Range Road 21 to Range Road 15 is closed.

A hamlet in northern Alberta is also keeping watch as a wildfire rages nearby. Residents living southeast of Fort McMurray — at Saprae Creek Estates — are being told to make an emergency plan and pack enough supplies for three days.

According to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the fire was first spotted Sunday and is now 67 hectares in size, according to Alberta Wildfire.