Wind-whipped grass fire forces immediate evacuation of southern Alberta town

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – A rapidly moving grass fire in southern Alberta has prompted officials to order everyone in a town southeast of Calgary to evacuate.

Barbara Edgecombe-Green, spokeswoman for the town of Coalhurst, said police were going door-to-door Monday afternoon telling people in the town of more than 2,200 people to leave immediately.

She says the evacuation centre is in Picture Butte, which is north of Coalhurst.

The town has supplied a bus for people who have no transportation.

Edgecombe-Green says the town is in the direct line of fire and is evacuating to make sure everyone stays safe.

The blaze began earlier Monday afternoon on the Blood reserve and has closed Highway 3, a major roadway in the region.

“We have lots of smoke, we cannot see flames, but there is lots of smoke,” Edgecombe-Green said. She estimated the fire to be about a kilometre away from the town.

Flames were being whipped by winds gusting between 60 and 80 kilometres an hour and have filled the skies of nearby Lethbridge with thick black smoke. Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for most of southern Alberta.

“Nothing makes a day in southern Alberta feel more like home than soul-crushing wind and a home-threatening grass fire,” tweeted Heather Hanson.

“Happens Every Time! I hope Coalhurst and W. Lethbridge get out of it without any loss of life or homes. I know what it feels like to be evacuated under those circumstances and not knowing if you’ll have a home left when it’s all over.”

Jacqueline Ramage tweeted: “Wow!!! A fire on the Blood Reserve has jumped the river and Coalhurst has been evacuated!! There is a wind warning in effect for our region, and some of the west side has been evacuated, as well as the Bridgeview campground….my friend Christina says that they are bringing in the water bombers!!!”

A mandatory evacuation has also been issued for a west-side neighbourhood in the city of Lethbridge. Residents east of 30th Street, north of Walsh Drive, including the Westside Trailer Court and all residents in that area, are being asked to leave. The city says they can go to the Enmax Centre or the Fritz Sick Centre.

Students at all west-side schools in Lethbridge were sent home early.

A water bomber is in the air above the town of Coalhurst, as well as an observation plane, said Edgecombe-Green.

She said all of the fire resources in the surrounding communities, including the fire department on the Blood Reserve, are working together to fight the blaze.

The town of Milk River has also issued an alert advising residents to prepare for possible evacuation because of a fire burning near there.