A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for parts of Athabasca County due to a wildfire, prompting the community and the nearby Village of Boyle to each declare a state of local emergency.
An emergency alert issued at 5:46 p.m. states that wildfire is burning south of Boyle along Highway 831 between the Boyle Fishpond and Ellscott turnoff. The evacuation order is in effect for residents east of Range Road 194 and south of Township 644 in Athabasca County.
Everyone east of Range Road 195 and south of Township 650 should also be prepared to evacuate if notified.
Those evacuating should travel north along Highway 63/55 toward Lac La Biche to the reception centre at Parkland Motels II.
South winds are pushing the fire toward Boyle and local crews are currently fighting the fire. The village is under an evacuation alert, meaning residents should prepare for an evacuation and pack a bag for the next 72 hours.
Boyle School will be closed on Wednesday due to the wildfire situation, a division notice said.
An emergency alert issued at 6:25 p.m. also advises to not travel south on Highway 831.
A fire burning near Redwater put another evacuation alert notice in place for other residents in Thorhild County Tuesday afternoon. This alert is in effect for residents on Range Road 203-211 and Township Road 580-584.
The state of local emergency means that the local authority may take any action it deems necessary to deal with the situation.
Alberta Wildfire has started providing firefighting assistance, according to the provincial dashboard.
Meanwhile wildfires in other communities north and west of Edmonton are also prompting wildfire alerts, in Westlock County and Parkland County.
Those living north of Duffield between Township Road 530 north to Highway 16, and between Range Road 32 west to Range Road 34 should be prepared to evacuate on short notice. The same goes for residents in the Hamlet of Fawcett and the Summer Village of Larkspur.
