A previous version of this story inaccurately stated where the fire was burning.
A fire that broke out in the Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park on May 28 was classified as out of control and led to the evacuation of the area on May 29.
The fire broke out in the Hubert Lake Wildland the afternoon of May 28 and grew to over 600 hectares by the next day. The fire has since grown to approximately 2,924 hectares.
The affected area is west of Fawcett and north of Vega with the fire burning on one side of the Pembina River.
Alberta Wildfire firefighters supported by airtankers, helicopters and heavy equipment responded to the blaze.
An emergency alert for Westlock County was issued at 7:03 p.m. on May 29 with residents in the Hubert Lake Wildland evacuating to the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre that evening. There have been no reported issues with the evacuation. Wildfire evacuees are currently staying in several hotels in the town.
Westlock County cannot comment on when residents will be able to return home.
The fire was one of several that have engulfed the area recently.
The town of Swan Hills 80 km north of Whitecourt was evacuated Monday evening with over 1,300 residents being forced to leave. The fire has swallowed over 17,000 hectares and continues to spread. The fire is currently burning 8 km north of the town.
This is the second time Swan Hills has evacuated its population in the past two years with another fire threatening the community in May 2023 which burned over 20,000 hectares.
Extreme heat warnings have been issued across the province with highs of 32 C and heavy wind gusts have contributed to the rapid growth of these fires.
The Hubert Lake and Swan Hills fires are two of more than 40 fires burning across the province currently.
Evacuation orders due to wildfires have also been issued for Yellowhead County, Chipewyan Lake, Red Earth Creek and the Dene Tha First Nations community of Chateh.
