Evacuation alerts have been issued for parts of Brazeau County and Ponoka County northeast of Rocky Mountain House.

According to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, these alerts are for everyone southeast of Drayton Valley and areas northwest of the town of Ponoka.

Issued: May 03, 2023 at 06:48 p.m.

Officials say there is an out of control wildfire southeast of Drayton Valley. If you are in the area North of Township Road 482 and South of Highway 39, and West of Range Road 64 and East of Highway 22 you must evacuate immediately.

Area residents are asked to bring important documents, medication, food, water and supplies for at least three days and to take pets with you. A Reception Centre is being established for evacuated residents at the Drayton Valley Omniplex located at 5737 45 Ave.

Additional information: http://www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert, http://www.alberta.ca/BePrepared

According to Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services:

7:45 p.m., May 3

• There is a wildland fire burning near Range Road 64 and Township Road 484. The fire is out of control at this time.
• Wind blew the fire south, but a storm changed the direction.
• The fire is currently heading northwest.
• Size of the fire as of 7 p.m. is between 30 and 40 hectares
• Those in the area North of Township Road 482 and South of Highway 39, and West of Range Road 64 and East of Highway 22 must evacuate immediately.
• 8-10 residences have been evacuated, involving approximately 20 people
• Those evacuated have been directed to the reception centre at the MacKenzie Conference Centre (MCC) in Drayton Valley
• Highway 22 between Highways 616 and 39 is closed. Everyone is asked to avoid the area.
• Drayton Valley/Brazeau County Fire Services and Alberta Forestry are actioning the fire, including the use of water bombers using both water and fire retardant
• Fire crews from Parkland County and Wetaskiwin County have been called in to assist
• 1 structure, an outbuilding, has been lost
• No livestock have been reported in need of evacuation
• No assistance or resources from the community are required at this time at the site of the fire or the reception centre
• The Town of Drayton Valley is not impacted by the fire at this time

Elsewhere, there is a wildfire 8 km northwest of the town of Ponoka, near Range Road 265 and Township Road 433. Officials say it is moving northwest.

Issued: May 03, 2023 at 04:36 p.m.

Homes on Township Road 434 near Highway 795 are evacuating now. Everyone else in the area north and northwest of Township Road 434 and Highway 795 must prepare for a possible evacuation. Nearby residents are asked to gather important documents and medication and enough food, water and supplies for three days. No evacuation is required at this time, unless authorities tell you to leave.

If you evacuate, go to the Reception Centre at the Ponoka Legion, at 3911 Highway 2A, in Ponoka to register. If you need help evacuating, call 1-403-0783-3333.

For updates follow www.alberta.ca/emergencyalert, http://www.ponokacounty.com/ and local media.