Overview
- The Clearwater County wildfire, detected Thursday, grew to more than 1,000 hectares by Friday about 5 kilometres north of the James‑Wilson Provincial Recreation Area near the Highways 734 and 584 junction.
- Officials evacuated campers and backcountry users within 10 kilometres of Highway 734 and placed nearby residents on an evacuation alert, urging people to change long‑weekend plans to keep the area clear for responders.
- Access is restricted as RCMP set up blockades at Highways 734 and 591, Coal Camp Road and 734, and on Highway 584 east of 734, with portions of the Forestry Trunk Road closed due to the fire’s proximity.
- Alberta Wildfire deployed ground crews, heavy equipment, night‑vision helicopters, and water‑bombing aircraft, and officials expect lower temperatures and lighter winds to improve containment chances.
- Provincial data listed the blaze as the largest of roughly two dozen active Alberta fires on Friday and the only one classified as out of control, with the cause still under investigation.