Rapidly growing wildfire places northern Alberta community on evacuation alert

An evacuation alert has been issued for the northern Alberta community of Little Buffalo, which is being threatened by a nearby wildfire.

Peace Regional RCMP said in a news release Friday that the community is facing “immediate risk” as high winds have caused rapid growth in the fire.

RCMP said they were told around 3 p.m. that the fire had jumped to both sides of Highway 986, cutting off residents’ ability to drive west toward Peace River. If an evacuation is order, community members must travel east toward Red Earth Creek, RCMP said.

“RCMP, fire and other support services are en route and already on scene and urge residents of Little Buffalo to follow directions of first responders and Emergency Management employees,” the release said.

The alert from the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council means that residents must be ready to leave within one hour if an evacuation order is given. Residents should take pets, clothes, medications and other essentials needed for at least seven days.

Little Buffalo is about 460 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.