Thorhild residents on evacuation notice
Fire at Gladys Wachowich's farm on Thursday. Taken on May 13, 2010, near Opal, Alberta.
Photo Credit: Gladys Wachowich, edmontonjournal.com
Residents in half a dozen homes near the Thorhild County are on evacuation alert after the out of control fire jumped a 25-foot ditch on Sunday afternoon.
According to Alberta Sustainable Resource and Development, strong winds on Sunday likely caused sparks from the fire to jump the ditch and ignite flammable material on the other side.
“The worst case scenario happened,” said spokesperson Brydon Ward.
Firefighters were forced to pull back because it was no longer safe to be so close to the blaze.
Ward says once winds die down and temperatures drop firefighters will bulldoze a new fire break.
The fire is now 2,200 hectares in size.
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