By The Canadian Press

HIGH LEVEL

High Level fire grows to 976 square kilometres

May 24, 2019 | 7:06 AM

Alberta Wildfire’s incident commander says the fire threatening the northwestern town of High Level has grown.

Scott Elliot puts the fire at 976 square kilometres now, up from 920 square kilometres on Wednesday.

143 wildland firefighters are on the ground outside of High Level, 154 structural firefighters are working in the town proper, as the fire continues to threaten.

There are also 28 helicopters, 10 structural protection units, plus out-of province crews are expected to begin helping out.

The wildfire danger in the area is considered extreme because of warmer temperatures, gusty winds and no significant rainfall in the forecast.