Wildfire evacuation order issued for area southwest of Edmonton

Authorities have issued a wildfire evacuation order for an area southwest of Edmonton.

An emergency alert says there is an out-of-control fire in Brazeau County, and people living in an area southeast of Drayton Valley should leave their homes.

An out-of-control blaze burning in the northern community of Fox Lake that prompted Little Red River Cree Nation to issue an evacuation order on Tuesday now covers about 1,458 hectares. Evacuees are being told to go to the community of John D’or and to register at the reception centre at John D’or Prairie School.

An evacuation notice has been issued for the northwestern community of Rainbow Lake, as a 400 hectare wildfire rages out of control.

The blaze is burning one kilometre south of highway 58, and authorities say Alberta Wildfire firefighters, the Rainbow Lake Fire Department and air support from helicopters and airtankers have been able to prevent it from spreading towards the town. While officials say there currently is no threat to the community, the Town of Rainbow Lake has issued an evacuation notice as a precaution.

Multiple grass and brush fires have been spreading in windy and hot conditions.

An evacuation order was lifted earlier in the day for an area near the hamlet of Entwistle, west of Edmonton

Evacuation orders were also lifted for the Yellowhead County communities of Wildwood and Lobstick and areas east and northeast of Chip Lake and south of Highway 16.

The Alberta government says crews have contained a fire near Calmar, but an evacuation order there remains in effect as high temperatures and winds are expected to continue.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo says a fire about 35 kilometres south of Fort McMurray is classified as being held and does not pose any immediate risk to residents near the area of Gregoire Lake.

Most of central Alberta is under a fire ban after a period of windy and unseasonably hot conditions, with little chance of rain in the forecast.