Wildfire near Hinton triples in size

An out-of-control wildfire 15 kilometres southeast of Hinton more than tripled in size overnight Wednesday and into Thursday and officials are warning the public to be on the alert.

The fire is estimated to be 1,200 hectares in size and winds are pushing the fire east away from town, Alberta Wildfire said in a 1 p.m. update Thursday.

Fickle Lake and McLeod Campgrounds are closed for safety reasons, but not currently threatened, the release said.

Although communities aren’t considered to be in danger at this time, an information station is set up at Green Square in Hinton and residents in the area are asked to drop in to receive updates.

Fire crews worked overnight in the Edson Forest Area to build a six-kilometre fire guard along the north flank and a two-kilometre guard to the south.

Air tankers, dippers and firefighters are on scene to fight the fire and reinforce the fire guards. Helicopter and air tankers may be scooping water from nearby lakes, the release said, and residents are asked to avoid Fickle Lake and Obed Lake.

Additional firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment were added Thursday to prepare for the possibility of another wildfire.

Residents are asked to use caution when driving, especially along Highway 16 where smoke could be impacting visibility.