Nordegg residents flee as forest fire nears

An out-of-control forest fire has forcedpeople in the west-central community of Nordegg, Alta.,to flee their homes.

Residents of the community, about 200 kilometres west of Red Deer, were asked to leave Tuesday evening. Early Wednesday, the firewas about two kilometres west of the community of 200. It's not clear when residents will be able to return home.

Fire information officer Rob Harris says the fire is not large, at 126 hectares, but it's location makes it the top priority for Alberta's forest-fire fighters.

"Because this is a fire that is close to a community, we are diverting as much resources to bring this under control. It's actually our No. 1priority fire right now."

Dry weather and lightning strikes have meant close to 150 fires, 48 of them out of control,are burning in Alberta.

Alberta fire officials are also monitoring massive fires on the British Columbia side of the border.

Rain is predicted for the mining town of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., where about 4,000 residents have been forced from their homes because of four nearby forest fires.