Northern Alberta town under mandatory evacuation order due to wildfire

A town in northern Alberta is under a mandatory evacuation order due to a nearby wildfire burning closer and closer to residents’ homes.

People living in Swan Hills, roughly 221 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, have been asked to leave immediately due to a fire burning seven kilometres north of town.

“Everyone in Swan Hills must evacuate immediately,” reads the emergency alert. “Gather pets, important documents and medication.”

Residents are asked to evacuate to a reception centre at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre in Whitecourt, about 80 kilometres to the south. A bus is located the the Keyano Centre parking lot at 5632 Main Street in Swan Hills for people who do not have a ride out of town.

Another alert in Alberta was issued for people living southeast of Hinton because of another out-of-control fire burning west of the former coal mining town of Mercoal.

Wildfire officials say firefighters, airtankers, helicopters and heavy equipment operators are responding to the 70-hectare blaze.

With files from The Canadian Press