Courtesy of Saddle Hills County:
Last night, strong North winds caused the Peace River Banks/Cleardale fire, North of Fourth Creek, to circumvent the South Cecil fire guard, spreading the fire in a South direction across the correction line (Township Road 830), between Range Road 80 and the Peace River.
An Evacuation Alert was issued to warn area residents, and the Fourth Creek Hall was opened up as a reception centre. Savanna, Bonanza, and Blueberry Fire Departments were dispatched to help mitigate the spread.
The fire slowed after midnight, at approximately Township line 824. This morning, five dozers began building a wide fire guard along Township Road 823, running East towards the Peace River. Before noon, Alberta Forestry arrived on site, with 20 wildland firefighters, four helicopters, and other equipment. The wind is mild today, allowing for workable conditions on the ground. Tomorrow, we will have a tracked vehicle (a nodwell) joining us with a 1000 gallon water tank, pump and spray turret.
The red area on the map does not indicate the size of the current fire, but also includes burned areas.
The evacuation alert remains in place for residents East of Range Road 81, and North of Township Road 810, and more information will be provided to these residents if an evacuation is required. A reception centre has been opened at the Fourth Creek Hall, located at the intersection of Highway 681 and Highway 725. Please continue to be prepared. Emergency preparedness resources are available on our website or through Be Prepared Alberta.
If you would like to receive fire and emergency updates like this from Saddle Hills County, directly to your email address, when they are posted, please sign up to our mailing list by either sending us a direct message with your email address, or emailing communications@saddlehills.ab.ca.
Thank you to all of our volunteers and staff for their hard work and dedication, and to the community members providing support to firefighters and residents.
We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
