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Swan Hills residents ordered to evacuate community

Reception centre set up at Barrhead Agrena, evacuees urged to register there
swan-hills-reception-centre
A sign welcoming evacuees from Swan Hills has been set up in front of the Barrhead Agrena, which is serving as a reception centre for those forced to leave the town.

SWAN HILLS — An evacuation order has been issued for residents of the Town of Swan Hills due to a wildfire burning northwest of the community. 

Shortly after 1 p.m., a notice was posted to the Town of Swan Hills website and its Facebook page ordering residents to leave the community, bringing along their pets, important documents and medication, and enough food, water and supplies for at least three days. 

The notice states that a reception centre has been set up at the Barrhead Agrena, which is located at 5607 47 Street in Barrhead. All evacuees are encouraged to register at the reception centre. 

Those not going to Barrhead are asked to call the Swan Hills Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) at (780) 333-4119 for further information on how to register by phone.

Incidentally, Swan Hills School has also been closed and will remain as such until the evacuation order is lifted, according to the school's website.

It should be noted the town declared a state of local emergency May 15 due to the nearby wildfire, which had the potential to move towards the community depending on the weather.

For further information on wildfires burning around Alberta, residents are advised to keep tabs on the Alberta Emergency Alert website.

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