Fire burning south of Franchere Bay

Fire near Franchere Bay and Pelican Point Narrows. Image provided by Les C. Wiley.

At approximately 5 p.m. Monday evening fire crews were dispatched to a fire on Range Road 474 between Highway 28 and Secondary Highway 660 (please see attached map for location).

The fire started in the east ditch, just off of Rge. Rd. 474, and started moving in a south east direction. The fire spread rapidly due to timber dry conditions in the Moose Lake forest area.

Firefighters from Bonnyville, Glendon, La Corey and Iron River are on scene, as well as staff from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

There are 80 to 100 firefighters, 12 fire trucks, six fixed wing aircraft and three helicopters currently working on the fire. Crews will continue to work through the night to contain the fire, which is currently classified as out of control.

There are natural fire barriers in place – the lake, as well as the Range Road. Firefighters are also creating fire breaks. Rge. Rd. 474 is closed at Hwys. 28 and 660. RCMP is on scene doing traffic control. There is no order to evacuate.

Melvin asks everyone to stay away from the area to allow crews to work. He also asks that people stay off of Moose Lake so the firefighting aircraft can pick up water.

Alberta Wildfires list the fire as out of control and is estimated to be 50-80 hectares in size. It is believed the fire started on Range Road 74.

Lakeland Connect has reached out the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority about the fire.

More information to follow.

https://wildfire.alberta.ca/wildfire-status/default.aspx