CALGARY – Multiple grass fires are burning in southern Alberta, fuelled by extremely high winds blowing throughout the region on Friday afternoon.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and members of the Airdrie RCMP, were called to a fire at the corner of Highway 567 and Range Road 281 at about 1:30 p.m.
The grass fire was brought under control shortly after 3 p.m.
Previous road closures have been lifted, but people are still asked to avoid the area.
Anyone who lives in the area is asked to consider evacuating their home after ensuring livestock is out of harm's way.
There are no homes currently in the path of the fire and no people or animals have been injured as a result.
Officials say the current conditions are pushing the fire further east, into the jurisdiction monitored by Beiseker's fire department.
Weather conditions are expected to prove a problem for crews trying to take control of the fire, especially with a wind warning in place for Airdrie and a number of other communities in southern Alberta.
Two fires, both in Foothills County, were also sparked during the windy conditions.
Officials say one fire, at 594 Avenue and 16 Street West, grew to approximately 200 acres in size before it was extinguished.
594 Avenue was closed between 16 Street and Meridian Street because of poor visibility for a few hours, but it's been reopened.
The second fire was extinguished at 3:40 p.m.
