Evacuation alert issued as crews battle massive grassfires in southern Alberta

LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA - Police were going door to door in the county of Lethbridge on Sunday, ordering residents to leave, as grassfires burned out of control.

Reception areas were set up in the Lethbridge soccer centre and Fritz Sick Centre, with a state of local emergency declared in the county of Lethbridge.

On Sunday night, officials announced the fire at the Westside Blood Reserve area had been contained, but crews were still putting out hotspots. West Lethbridge residents aren't being forced to leave their homes.

Crews also had a fire west of Lethbridge contained, but the more than 100 residents living in Mountain Meadows and Sunset Acres forced out earlier in the day weren't allowed to return home just yet.

Over in the county of Warner, officials were concerned about fires popping up in the New Dayton area.

Residents in the Miami Hutterite Colony were already forced out because of smoke, while those in New Dayton proper haven't left yet, but were warned evacuations could happen.

The National Neon building on 5th Ave. North went ablaze late Sunday afternoon, and a portion of the roof was blown off as well.

Crews were also on scene at a fire outside the town of Raymond, which spread from Magrath.

Fire departments from all over southern Alberta are joining forces to battle the blazes. In the meantime, people are being advised to stay indoors because of poor air quality.

Highway 3 at University Drive was shut down to stop people from gawking at the fire and creating huge traffic congestion.

For updates on the evacuation, click here.

Here's what some people are saying about the situation online: