Officials with the City of Medicine Hat have declared a state of emergency for residents of Cypress Country because of poor air quality due to a fire burning at a landfill near the community.
They say that the air quality in the area of the Westar landfill, located about seven kilometres east of the Medicine Hat landfill, has dropped to the point of being a serious health concern.
Ten homes are under a mandatory evacuation order and 25 others are under voluntary evacuation.
Anyone who has recently recieved a voluntary evacuation notice is urged to call 403-525-2333 for more information.
According to representatives with the Red Cross, 18 displaced residents have been provided with food and temporary accomodation at Medicine Hat hotels.
Anyone concerned about accommodation can call the Red Cross at 403-348-3126.
The county plans to take evacuees back to their properties daily to check on them.
Fire officials say that there is no viable way of putting out the fire at this time.
The City of Medicine Hat is providing updates on the situation on their website.
