Out-of-control wildfire west of Edmonton forces evacuation | CBC News

An out-of-control wildfire has forced the evacuation of some residents living between Evansburg and Wildwood in Yellowhead County, just west of Edmonton.

The evacuation alert issued Tuesday affects residents along Highway 16, west of Highway 22 up to Highway 16A.

As of 8:30 p.m. MT, the fire covers an area of about 125 hectares in the Edson Forest Area and is located nine kilometres northwest of Evansburg and moving south.

The wildfire has crossed the Lobstick River but not Highway 16 as of 10:30 p.m. MT.

Wildfire EWF-075 is currently 40 ha in size and classified as out-of-control in the Edson Forest Area. It’s located 9 km west of Evansburg and moving south. 28 firefighters, 4 helicopters, 6 pieces of heavy equipment and 6 airtankers are fighting this wildfire. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABWildfire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ABWildfire</a> <a href=”https://t.co/KAJGofdxGw”>pic.twitter.com/KAJGofdxGw</a>

—@AlbertaWildfire

The fire was first noticed at 4 p.m. when it was just two hectares in size.

There are currently 30 firefighters, four helicopters, six pieces of heavy equipment and six airtankers involved in fighting the fire.

Residents of the Lobstick Resort area also being evacuated with an evacuation centre being set up at the Evansburg Arena in Evansburg.

“Fire activity has slowed down, but the fire is still classified as out-of-control,” said Josee St.-Onge, a provincial information officer with the Wildfire Management Branch in an email at 10:45 p.m.

“The airtankers are done flying for the evening and additional airtankers are available if required tomorrow. Additional heavy equipment has also arrived on scene to help fight this wildfire.

“They will continue working through the night on building a containment lines to surround the wildfire. Firefighters will work late into the evening and return early in the morning.”