A wildfire burning in Barrhead County, located northwest of Edmonton, Alberta, prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for parts of the municipality on Thursday afternoon.The fire led to a declared state of local emergency as conditions escalated quickly.

According to county officials, structural fires were reported in the Summerlea subdivision near Thunder Lake, approximately 20 kilometres west of Barrhead, which resulted in an immediate evacuation order for residents in that area.

Shortly after the initial alert, the evacuation order was expanded to include the nearby Thunder Lake subdivision, where additional structural fires were reported south of the provincial park boat launch.

Emergency alerts instructed residents in both affected subdivisions to leave their homes without delay due to the rapid spread and intensity of the wildfire.Evacuees were directed to travel via Highway 18 and register at the county office located in the town of Barrhead.

Officials emphasized the importance of avoiding travel near the affected zones to allow emergency crews to respond effectively and safely manage the situation.

Thunder Lake is situated roughly 150 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, placing the fire within a broader region that frequently experiences wildfire risk during dry conditions.

Authorities noted that wildfire activity is a recurring concern in Alberta, especially during hot and dry periods that increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread.

The situation remained active, with officials indicating that more updates would follow as firefighting efforts continued and assessments of damage were carried out.Residents were urged to stay informed through official emergency alerts and local updates.