By The Canadian Press

Wildfires

Conditions prompt red-flag warning across northern Alberta’s boreal forest

May 30, 2019 | 8:28 AM

Hot, dry conditions and gusty winds have led to what fire watchers call a red-flag warning across northern Alberta’s boreal forest.

The Chuckegg Creek fire, the largest in the province, is still about three kilometres southwest of High Level, where crews have created a firebreak to protect the community.

The fire near High Level has grown to 1,500 square kilometres — an increase of 200 square kilometres from Tuesday.

About 5,000 people in the town and others from the small community of Steen River have been forced from their homes by the flames.

Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for the hamlet of Wabasca and the Bigstone Cree Nation in the Slave Lake forest area.