Alberta wildfire burns two homes

EDMONTON, Alberta, May 17 (UPI) -- A fire north of Edmonton, Alberta, has destroyed at least two houses and forced the evacuation of about 150 people.

After the Friday evacuations, other residents in the area were instructed to be prepared to get out, the Edmonton Sun reported.

Thorhild County Reeve Henry Zolkewski said the residents could be ordered out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"A lot of people are reluctant to just leave because it is their home and their property," Zolkewski said. "But the RCMP did suggest that they keep some belongings packed so that on the immediate command they would have to leave."

High winds Friday helped spread the fire, threatening the village of Newbrook. Zolkewski said there were no reports of injuries but a there was a lot of property damage in addition to the two houses.

More than 100 firefighters were battling the blaze on the ground Saturday while tanker planes dropped firefighting chemicals.

Alberta has been hit by a number of other wildfires, including blazes near Bruderheim, Lesser Slave Lake and the Peace River.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International