‘This fire is a beast’: Wildfire threatening Edson less than 2 km from the town | CBC News

Officials from municipalities west of Edmonton say that the wildfire situation is “dire,” with flames less than two kilometres from the town of Edson.

An evacuation order was issued for the town and parts of Yellowhead County Friday evening as fires jumped guards and moved closer to populated areas.

In a Saturday video update, Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara pleaded for anyone still in the community of about 8,000 people to leave.

“This is going to be a very dire situation. We’ve always said we’re going to be honest about what’s going on,” he said. “This is not good and this fire is a beast.”

“With even all the resources that we have here currently and the ones that are arriving … it’s still not going to be enough to deal with what is going to potentially occur here later today.”

In the same update, Yellowhead County chief administrative officer Luc Mercier said that the main fire threatening communities is 130,000 hectares large and has “grown drastically” over 24 hours, with the fire spreading in three different directions. 

Mercier said one of those areas of growth is burning just 1.5 kilometres south of Edson, and has damaged the Willmore Park area.

“Our request is that our residents abide by the evacuation order, as this is not a test. This is real life,” he said.

Yellowhead Mayor Wade Williams said he and Zahara spoke with Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen Saturday morning. He said Loewen assured them more resources are being moved in to fight the fire.

“We cannot stress enough, it is time to leave this area. Pack up and head out,” Williams said. 

“Last night, the fire that hit Highway 47 travelled in excess of 30 [kilometres] in the last 24 hours,” he said. “That is unbelievable, that is not something that is ever seen.”

Officials warned that residents who have been forced to leave their homes should expect to be away for some time. Mercier said people should expect the evacuation order to be in effect until at least next Wednesday.

It’s the second time Edson residents have been forced to flee their homes in the last month.

The town was evacuated May 5 because of an encroaching wildfire, but residents were allowed to return on May 8. Other parts of Yellowhead County also had to evacuate in May, but by the end of the month, everyone had been allowed to return.

Edson is approximately 200 kilometres west of Edmonton, and evacuees have been told to register at the Edmonton Expo reception centre.

More to come.