Grass fire burning west of city

trevor.kenney — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:17:58 +0000

UPDATE, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10:02 a.m.
Classes are running and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge operations are back to normal today after the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ ceased non-essential services late Monday afternoon in response to the grass fire event west of the city.
Everything at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is fully operational today and the U of L expects no further interruptions of service related to the grass fire. The decision to shut down non-essential services and to cancel evening classes was made to help alleviate traffic to and from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, allowing emergency services personnel clearer travel so that they could deal with the grass fire.
For further updates on the grass fire event, continue to monitor the City of Lethbridge website by following this link.
9:55 p.m.
Fire is now under control but fire crews will be working through the night. Evacuation orders are still in effect and will continue until it is safe to return. Estimated size of the fire is 4,800 hectares. Over 100 responders from Lethbridge and surrounding communities. Number of tanker drops by Alberta Sustainable Resources - 1 Bird Dog Plane, 2 Helicopters, 3 Tanker Planes.
9:45 p.m.
With the grass fire now under control and Lethbridge Fire overseeing hot spots, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has lifted its Emergency Alert notification.
Normal operations at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. All classes will take place as scheduled.
For regular updates of the fire please continue to visit the City of Lethbridge at http://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/Pages/Grass-Fire-Sept-10.aspx
For further updates pertaining to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge please visit UNEWS at http://www.uleth.ca/unews/content/grass-fire-burning-west-city
9:34 p.m.
Lethbridge Fire is reporting that the grass fire is now under control but that they will be monitoring hot spots through the evening.
9:10 p.m.
Fire crews will continue to work through the night to control hot spots.
8:45 p.m.
Local state of emergency is still in affect for the City of Lethbridge. Fire and wind conditions will continue to be monitored through the evening.
8:35 p.m.
Hot spots are still burning and fire crews continue to work in various areas. Last air retardant drop has taken place for the night.
8:10 p.m.
Air operation will be making a second drop before nightfall. Ground crews continue to battle on the ground. All posted evacuations and alerts are still in place.
7:25 p.m.
Winds continue to gust and crews still working on ground and in the air. Evacuation alerts and evacuations remain in place.
6:05 p.m.
Fire crews continue to monitor the weather and are working on the fire west of Lethbridge. Planning at the Emergency Operations Centre is ongoing.
6:01 p.m.
RCMP have confirmed that Highway 3 remains closed between Lethbridge and Coalhurst.
5:54 p.m.
The City of Lethbridge has ordered a mandatory evacuation for Bridgeview Campground.
5:53 p.m.
When preparing for an evacuation, remember to take photos, important papers, ID, passports, pets & medications. Evacuees with pets are asked to register at the evacuation centres and leave the animals in the car until arrangements can be made.
5:21 p.m.
The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is suspending all non-essential services and cancelling scheduled evening classes for tonight. At this point, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ classes are scheduled to go ahead Tuesday, Sept. 11.
This is being done to help alleviate road congestion for emergency crews who are dealing with the current local state of emergency due to the wildfires burning west of Lethbridge. NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN EVACUATION OF CAMPUS.
Food services in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall will continue to operate to serve students residing on campus and staff members who are unable to leave campus.
This does not affect classes scheduled at our Calgary and Edmonton campuses.
For regular updates of the fire please visit the City of Lethbridge at http://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/Pages/Grass-Fire-Sept-10.aspx.
You can follow us on Twitter at @ulethbridgenews for the latest. You can also follow news from the City of Lethbridge at this link.

5:07 p.m.

The City of Lethbridge has order a mandatory evacuation for the Westside Trailer Court. These residents are asked to go to family and friends if it is safe to do so. They can also go to the Fritz Sick Centre or the ENMAX Centre. Bus is en route to help residents evacuate.

4:48 p.m.

Residents are asked to limit cell phone use during this time to keep lines clear for emergency services. As well, residents are asked to check on elderly and disabled neighbours and on those whose first language is not English.

Once again, no evacuations currently for the City of Lethbridge. Residents in Indian Battle Heights, Heritage Heights & West Highlands are to prepare for a possible evacuation.

3:52 p.m.

The City of Lethbridge has declared a local state of emergency and is preparing to evacuate residents of West Highlands and Indian Battle Heights.

3:50 p.m.

Emergency Alert Alberta has officially issued an evacuation notice for the Town of Coalhurst.

3:48 p.m.

Multiple news sources are reporting that the grass fire has jumped the river and the Town of Coalhurst is now being evacuated.

3:33 p.m.

There is currently no evacuation order issued for anyone within the City of Lethbridge. Official notifaction for evacuations will come from Emergency Alert Alberta.

3:02 p.m.

Coalhurst residents have now been put on alert in case they are asked to evacuate. The County of Lethbridge has declared a local state of emergency.

Parents of children who are currently in schools north of Whoop Up Drive are advised to pick up their children now, as these children are being sent home early.

2:51 p.m.

Lethbridge Fire Department is reporting that it has called for assistance from Nobleford and Coaldale to help battle the grass fire west of the city. The department has also staged heavy equipment west of Burnco in the event the fire progresses across the river and closes in on the city's west side. It has not yet jumped the river.

2:39 p.m. Update

The fire continues to progress rapidly as winds helped it jump Hwy 509. Residents of Mountain Meadows, Sunset Acres and Township 8-22 have been advised to evacuate immediately.

A grass fire burning west of the City of Lethbridge has crews from the Lethbridge Fire Department responding. Thick smoke is wafting over the Lethbridge area.

Grassfire now contained

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:33:33 +0000

A grassfire to the west of the city of Lethbridge that forced road closures as well as evacuations of some westside neighbourhoods has been contained.

Following are updates from the City of Lethbridge website. For more information on the fire and possible further evacuations and road closures, follow this link.

Classes at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will run as scheduled on Monday. Further updates will be provided when available. You can also follow us on Twitter @ulethbridgenews

9:09 p.m.
Reception Centre made ready 'just in case' for west Lethbridge residents (Soccer Centre) is now being closed as fire is contained. Fritz Sick Centre remains open for County residents.

8:19 p.m.

The fire came across river before 3:30 p.m. today from the Westside Blood reserve area. The fire is contained and the City of Lethbridge is now containing hot spots. The City of Lethbridge is confident the fire is contained.

Westside residents have not been asked to evacuate. The City of Lethbridge is sending resources to blood reserve to work with their resources on the fire.

6:51 p.m.
Lethbridge Regional Police are advising the public that travel along westbound Whoop Up Drive as well as westbound and eastbound ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Drive is restricted. Unless it is absolutely necessary residents are advised to stay off these roads and remain indoors. Motorists who must travel along these roadways should expect delays. In addition, Highway 3 to West Lethbridge is currently closed by the RCMP.

6:40 p.m.
Whoop-Up West Bound is restricted to residents needing to get into the area. West bound Highway 3 is closed. Residents can still drive East Bound.

6:16 p.m.
Residents of Indian Battle Heights and West Highlands are asked to prepare for possible evacuation. Residents are asked to go to family and friend's houses or to the Soccer Centre at 2501 28th Ave South) as a reception centre.

Cell phone use is intermittent and residents are asked to use land lines where possible. Residents SHOULD NOT call 911 to ask for evacuation updates, but save that line for emergency calls. Current updates can be found on Facebook or Twitter or on our website.

UNews - Battle Heights

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