A wildfire evacuation alert for Garden River residents has been upgraded to an evacuation order.
“Garden River is on an evacuation order as of 12:00 p.m.,” read the alert.
The order was issued due to a wildfire burning 10 kilometres from Highway 58.
Officials say Garden River is not in any immediate danger, but highway access could be cut off because of the fire.
Residents have been told to pack food, water and medication for multiple days and go to the Horizon camp at John D’or Prairie, Alta.
Garden River is a Cree community located about 200 kilometres east of High Level in northern Alberta.
The fire, dubbed HWF061, is part of the Semo wildfire complex, which includes blazes HWF053, HWF061, HWF081, HWF083.
As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was 39,955 hectares in size, the largest fire in the complex.
Alberta Wildfire says there are 112 firefighters and support staff assigned to the Semo complex, as well as eight helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment.
“Heavy equipment operators continue both day and night to the south perimeter of the fire to gain better access. Helicopters will continue to bucket along priority areas. Night vision helicopters worked this fire overnight to extinguish hotspots,” Alberta Wildfire said.
“Firefighters will begin actioning the fire when safe zones are completed and are ready to access.”
Additional resources have been deployed to the scene.
The fire was caused by lightning.