Raging Alberta wildfire burns homes
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Raging Alberta wildfire burns homes*
Published: May 17, 2008 at 10:20 PM
EDMONTON, Alberta, CANADA May 17 (UPI) -- A fire north of Edmonton,
Alberta, has destroyed at least two houses and forced the evacuation of
about 150 people.
After the Friday evacuations, other residents in the area were
instructed to be prepared to get out, the Edmonton Sun reported.
Thorhild County Reeve Henry Zolkewski said the residents could be
ordered out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
"A lot of people are reluctant to just leave because it is their home
and their property," Zolkewski said. "But the RCMP did suggest that they
keep some belongings packed so that on the immediate command they would
have to leave."
High winds Friday helped spread the fire, threatening the village of
Newbrook. Zolkewski said there were no reports of injuries but a there
was a lot of property damage in addition to the two houses.
More than 100 firefighters were battling the blaze on the ground
Saturday while tanker planes dropped firefighting chemicals.
Alberta has been hit by a number of other wildfires, including blazes
near Bruderheim, Lesser Slave Lake and the Peace River.