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Grass Fire Near Edmonton Forces Road Closures
A grass fire that ignited east of Edmonton on Saturday has led to the closure of segments of Anthony Henday Drive, significantly impacting traffic in the area.
The Strathcona County RCMP announced shortly after 1:30 p.m. that certain portions of the ring road, along with various connecting roads and highways, would be closed in multiple directions between Baseline Road and Wye Road.
Authorities received reports of the fire just before 12:30 p.m. As the day progressed, the situation evolved, prompting further closures.
By approximately 2 p.m., the RCMP updated the public, indicating that Anthony Henday Drive was being shut down from Wye Road to Highway 16, with additional closures on parts of Highway 16 also expected.
The fire was reportedly spreading quickly, fueled by prevailing wind conditions, and officials cautioned that more closures could be imminent. “The public is asked to please avoid the area and plan your travels accordingly,” police advised.
This fire incident follows another grass fire that occurred on Friday night, which necessitated the closure of another section of highway east of Edmonton. That previous blaze had encroached upon the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, ultimately leading to evacuation orders for nearby residences, although those orders were later rescinded once the fire was contained.
Residents and commuters in the region are advised to stay updated on the situation as firefighting efforts continue and to exercise caution if navigating around the affected areas.
Source
globalnews.ca