Wildfire forces partial evacuation order in County of Grande Prairie

Some residents in the County of Grande Prairie in northern Alberta need to immediately leave their homes due to the danger posed by a nearby wildfire.

The county issued an evacuation order at 8:46 p.m. MT, stating a fire is located four kilometres east of Teepee Creek nearRange Road 31 and Township Road 740. The fire is moving away from the community, the alert states.

According to a post on Facebook from the county, the order is in effect from Kleskun Creek north to Township Road 742. The order is also in effect for the Riverstone Golf Course.

The alert says residents should travel north to Township Road 742 and west onto Highway 733. Evacuees shouldregister at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre located at 11633 100 Street inGrande Prairie.

In addition to the area that is under evacuation, all residents from Township Road 744 to 750 and Township Road 744 to 730 and Range Road 32 are on evacuation alert, the county said.Residents should be prepared to leave, but no evacuation is required at this time.

Evacuees are advised to bring pets, important documents, medication, medical devicesand enough food and water to be away from your home forsevendays.

According to the Alberta Wildfire map,the fire was estimated to cover about40 hectares as of 5:44 p.m.