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Cypress County Wildfire Forces Evacuations Near Medicine Hat

Officials expect a multi-day fight, with Alberta Wildfire and local agencies mounting ground and air attacks.

Campers can begin planning their return to Jasper National Park less than one year after a devastating wildfire swept through the area.A wildfire smoulders outside of Jasper, Alta., on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken
NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Fire crews from Cypress County, Medicine Hat and Suffield battle flames from a wildfire Sunday east of Dunmore along Range Road 40.
A wildfire has sprung up southeast of Medicine Hat, Alta., forcing evacuations, according to a Cypress County spokesperson.

Overview

  • An Alberta Emergency Alert issued at 12:59 p.m. ordered evacuations east of Dunmore for a wildfire south of Highway 1 along Range Road 40 that is threatening homes.
  • Roughly a dozen rural residences were cleared, with instructions to travel south on Range Road 40 to Township Road 114 and to seek open areas without flammable structures if necessary.
  • Range Road 40 is closed at eastbound Highway 1, according to 511 Alberta, as authorities manage access around the fire zone.
  • Premier Danielle Smith said Alberta Wildfire crews are responding on the ground and from the air, and HALO Air Ambulance and Redcliff RCMP are assisting.
  • Cypress County’s Sean Rooney said the response will take days rather than hours to bring under control.