Wildfire in Alberta's west country rages on, campers evacuated from backcountry

A wildfire continues to passion through and through a vast expanse of Alberta’s foothills fri and pinch officials ar urging backcountry users to keep their distance from the front lines.

The wildfire in Clearwater County, northwest of Sundre, Alta., a town about 93 kilometres northwest of Calgary, spans more than 10 square kilometres, prompting evacuation orders for a vast expanse of wilderness in Alberta’s west country.

Detected Thursday, the flames expanded in a matter of hours, fanned by fierce winds that moved across the province during a severe spring storm.

The out-of-control wildfire is burning about 5 kilometres north of the James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area and about 3 kilometres northwest of the Highway 584 junction, in southern Clearwater County.

All campers, traffic, and anyone in the backcountry within 10 kilometres of Highway 734, near the Highway 584 junction, have been evacuated from the area, after evacuation orders issued Thursday evening forced them to flee.

Access to the area has been restricted, and county officials are reminding other backcountry users that the area will remain inaccessible until further notice.

The county has issued a wildfire alert, with an evacuation alert surrounding the wildfire area with a 10-kilometre radius. The evacuation area map includes properties west of Range Road 80 and north of the James River.

James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area, including James-Wilson Campground, has been evacuated and is closed until further notice, Alberta Parks said in a social media post Friday morning.

Residents do not have to evacuate yet, but people should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, emergency officials said.

The May long weekend signals the start of the summer camping season, but it's critical the area remains clear for first responders, officials said. 

Melissa Story, a provincial wildfire information officer, said RCMP were involved in evacuation efforts and continue to monitor the evacuation zone.

She urged people to respect the evacuation zone and road closures.

"It's for the safety of themselves and our firefighters," she said.

"It's very unsafe to enter a fire zone that is closed to the public. So we would really encourage people, if they are thinking about heading to that area, to maybe make some different plans this weekend."

In an updated statement Friday, Alberta Wildfire officials said strong winds and extremely dry vegetation in the area challenged crews Thursday, but lower temperatures and lighter winds in the forecast should help them. 

"We're definitely not out of the woods yet … but it's giving us the upper hand," Story said.

Firefighters, heavy equipment and night-vision-equipped helicopters worked overnight to help contain the fire, officials said. 

Additional crews, helicopters and heavy equipment — along with water bombing crews — will continue working on the flames Friday.

Aircraft may be skimming or scooping water from nearby lakes, including Cow Lake, Swan Lake or Burnstick Lake, and people are urged to give the crews space to operate safely.

Portions of Highway 40 (also known as Forestry Trunk Road) are closed due to their proximity to the fire. Blockades are set up at the corner of highways 734 and 591, the corner of Coal Camp Road and Highway 734, as well as on Highway 584 East of Highway 734.

RCMP say no one is allowed to enter the area while emergency crews respond.

Inge Klis and her husband, Adrian, have been operating Bearberry Cabins in the Sundre area for more than 30 years. The May long weekend is a busy time for their business: a cluster of cozy log cabins open for rent on the edge of the tree line.

But Klis said several guests have already cancelled and she isn't sure how many will end up coming this weekend, now that an evacuation alert has been issued and the sky remains thick with smoke.

She said the flames burned high on the horizon Thursday night, with high winds spreading them quickly through the forest.

Smoke is still thick in the area Friday, Klis said, but winds have died down overnight, giving her hope that firefighters will gain the advantage soon.

“So far, we are good; hopefully it stays that way."

This wildfire is now the largest of the 24 burning across Alberta Friday — and the only one currently burning out of control.

The fire's cause is still under investigation. 

Meanwhile, more Albertans who were forced from their homes near Whitecourt, Alta., on Monday are being allowed to return Friday. 

Woodlands County officials said evacuation orders have begun to lift in more areas of the West Ridge neighbourhood.

Re-entry began Thursday, as a wildfire that had threatened homes subsided. 

The Woodlands County fire — approximately is 3.5 kilometres southeast of the town of Whitecourt, and less than one kilometre south of Highway 43 — is now classified as being held.

Reporter

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