ALBERTA - A fire has spread into buildings at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, located on Highway 16.
At 6:30 p.m., RCMP confirmed they had responded to an out of control grass fire that had started East of Elk Island National Park, behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.
By 7:12 p.m., an update stated, "Fort Saskatchewan RCMP can also confirm that the fire has spread to structures in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. The situation is evolving rapidly and the extent of the damages can’t be confirmed at this time."
Residences were also being evacuated in the area and a portion of Highway 16 has been closed.
RCMP say "evacuations have begun for residences on Range Road 195, north of Highway 16. Anyone with residences not yet affected by the evacuation, but living in the area, is advised to prepare an evacuation kit and to be ready should the need arise to spread the evacuation zone."
At 6:30 p.m., RCMP stated Fort Saskatchewan RCMP was informed of the grass fire at 5:30 p.m.
"The fire has started to spread and is not considered under control. Highway 16 will be shut down between the entrance to Elk Island National Park and Range Road 194 in both directions. The public is asked to avoid the area and find alternate routes of travel," according to RCMP.
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is located 30 km east of Sherwood Park.
