Clearwater Country issued an evacuation order for Snow Creek Provincial Recreation Area, Dry Haven Provincial Recreation Area, Outdoor Education Center, Fish Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Frontier Lodge Area and Goldeye Lake Provincial Recreation Area and the surrounding area shortly before at 9 p.m. April Macintosh and her family planned to camp at Dry Haven Campground Wednesday and Thursday, but could see smoke and flames when they arrived late Wednesday afternoon. “Everybody else pulled over, so we pulled over and took a look and all of a sudden, like a little fire it just started growing and growing and you could see the bombers going by,” he recalled. “So within minutes we were like, ‘This is going to be really bad, we have to take off.’ As the family left Nordegg, they could see the air changing color in the mirror. Residents and visitors to these areas were asked to leave immediately. They could be relocated to the North Saskwatchewan River Park in Rocky Mountain House if necessary, according to an alert for the provincial system. “They were all worried about the animals and the people. I guess the people were leaving their campers behind. And it would be us if we didn’t go,” commented Macintosh.
NORDEGG IN 2 HOUR SORTS
A two-hour evacuation warning was also issued for Nordegg. Residents and visitors were told to be ready to leave within two hours of the notification. A fire intelligence officer, Travis Fairweather, said the fire was considered out of control Wednesday night. “Today, it’s seen quite significant growth. It’s now over 200 hectares in size and it’s out of containment, so unfortunately it’s expected to continue to grow,” he told CTV News Edmonton in a Zoom interview. “Certainly, the heat, the lack of relative humidity, as well as the winds today were big factors in the growth of this fire.” Firefighters from across Alberta and possibly BC are expected to arrive Thursday morning to assist. The fire started on July 19, northwest of Nordegg. It was initially thought to be under control, Fairweather said, but hot dry windy conditions brought the fire to light. “This is just a reminder that any time we see these hot and dry conditions, fires can start quickly, start easily, spread quickly, and that’s why we have to be extra careful to eliminate any fires caused by human and are absolutely preventable”. he added. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fairweather said the forecast could mean more wildfires this summer. For current wildfire updates, go to wildfire.alberta.ca. Go to 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date street reporting information. To learn how to prepare for a wildfire, visit alberta.ca/Wildfires and alberta.ca/BePrepared.
