Wildfires may force 1,000 in southwestern Alberta

[Red Squirrel]

It's crazy how there's so many fires every year. That combined with people cutting down so many trees, I'm not sure how nature keeps up!


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CAROL HARRINGTON

HILLCREST, Alta. (CP) - More than 1,000 people in southwestern Alberta were told Monday to be ready to flee their homes on one-hour's notice as raging forest fires threatened communities in the area.

Fire crews were working around the clock battling a blaze fueled by high temperatures and tinder-dry conditions that already forced more than 100 people to evacuate their homes Sunday in the mountainous area located 150 kilometres southwest of Calgary.

Resident Glen French said he was ready to drive his truck jammed with his possessions away from the area whenever authorities give the evacuation order.

"Anything I can't replace - all the mattress money, jewelry, pictures, films and CDs, and my computer," French said.

"If the house burns down, I'm not coming back."

The expanding 93-square kilometre inferno, known as the Lost Creek fire, prompted officials from the Municipal District of Crowsnest Pass to issue alerts to about 700 residents in Hillcrest to be ready to leave on one hour's notice.

Similar alerts were given out to 300 residents in the Castle Mountain, Beaver Mines Lake, Lees Lake, Burmis Mountain Estates and Hiawatha areas in the nearby Municipal District of Pincher Creek.

Another 150 people living on the outskirts of the communities of Blairmore and Coleman may also be issued evacuation alerts if the fire gets worse, said John Irwin, mayor of the Municipal District of Crowsnest Pass.

"It's very concerning, frightening," Irwin said. "This is a very serious situation."

More than 500 firefighters were battling the fires, supported by 21 helicopters, 18 water trucks and 24 bulldozers.

Retired firefighter and Hillcrest resident Roy Lazzarotto said cinders from the fire were falling on benches in front of his house.

"This is a bad one," he said. "I've never seen one like this."

When asked what he was going to do, Lazzarotto said he and wife Eda were ready to "jump in the truck and go.

"Eda is going to take a few clothes and some pictures," he said. "But I hope to God it doesn't come to that."


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Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:1149, old post ID:10097

[Chris Vogel]

ACH! That is terrible.

Good thing you don't live near there.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:1149, old post ID:10107

[Red Squirrel]

Nope, but I had a year where my city was one of the few evacuated in the area. We were literally surrounded by fires, and you could smell them outside too.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:1149, old post ID:10116