UPDATED: Two fires burning ‘out of control’ in Alberta

As of Tuesday morning, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development says fire fighters are currently battling two fires listed as ‘out of control’. Those fires are burning near Bonnyville and Grassland. The Lodgepole fire is now being considered "held". A fourth wildfire near High Level is now listed as 'under control.'

The fire near Grassland is currently 1000 hectares, and 50% contained. It's classified as "out of control." However, there was very minimal fire spread during the day Monday. There are currently 80 fire fighters on scene from two municipalities. Three helicopters and heavy equipment are also being used.

The fire near Bonnyville is currently 650 hectares in size, and is classified as "out of control." There was very minimal fire spread Monday. There are 100 fire fighters on scene, and heavy equipment and aircraft are also being used.

The fire near Lodgepole – which had the community of Lodgepole on evacuation alert this weekend – is now listed as being "held". It's burned 357 hectares, but there is a fire guard around the entire fire. Now, crews are working to extinguish the flames inside the fire guard while extinguishing hotspots. Seven helicopters, air tanker and heavy equipment are on scene.

For more information on the wildfires in Alberta, visit the Sustainable Resource Development website, or view its legal fire report online.

Over the weekend, the wildfire burning close to Lodgepole had more than 30 firefighters, along with helicopters and waterbombers, working through the night Saturday. While crews managed to set up a fire guard in some areas, more resources are being sent in and residents remain on stand-by to be evacuated from the area under short notice.

The fire had been burning west of Range Road 91 and Township 475 since Saturday, when it was travelling in a northeast direction from Highway 620, with wind playing a major factor.

An emergency alert was sent out telling Lodgepole residents to prepare to evacuate with an hour's notice. Others in the area were advised to also be ready for a possible evacuation.

With files from Postmedia News