Wildfire in Fort McMurray briefly closes section of Highway 63
Province says there is high wildfire danger in Fort McMurray forest area
Firefighters are battling a wildfire in Fort McMurray that prompted the closure of a section of highway.
Alberta Wildfire says a wildfire designated as "MMD001" started earlier Friday in Fort McMurray and has grown to 10 hectares.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) firefighters are responding to the fire and Alberta Wildfire is providing mutual-aid assistance and responding with crews and helicopters, with airtankers on the way, according to a Friday afternoon update.
RMWB said Highway 63 at Quarry Ridge was closed temporarily for safety reasons, but reopened by 4:45 p.m. as firefighters were making progress.
Alberta Wildfire said that fire risk "continues to climb and every precaution needs to be taken to reduce the chance of wildfires," noting that the wildfire danger level is high in the Fort McMurray forest area.
Alberta Wildfire said high temperatures are expected to continue for the coming days and may include strong winds.
RMWB said the fire was not started by a controlled burn. The cause is still under investigation.