Northern Alberta highway opens after fires
But N.W.T. transportation officials warn of intermittent closures throughout day
CBC News
Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:34 AM CT
Last Updated: Jul 11, 2012 12:25 PM CT
A photo taken Tuesday of the fire near the highway north of High Level, Alta. (Twitter)
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Highway 35 from northern Alberta into the Northwest Territories is now open, but travellers should expect intermittent closures throughout the day.
Forest fires burning in northern Alberta since Friday have forced the highway to close several times.
On Tuesday, the N.W.T.’s Department of Transportation placed barricades on Highway 1 southbound from Enterprise, N.W.T., which heads to the border with Alberta. The blockades warned motorists of the closure or potential closures further south.
Earl Blacklock, a spokesperson for the department, said Wednesday morning that the barricades are still in place at Enterprise, but they are not stopping anyone from passing through. However, Blacklock said he expects the entry into northern Alberta to have intermittent openings throughout the day.
Many trucks and travellers were driving through the barricade at Enterprise Tuesday, taking the chance that they would be able to get through. If not, they would have to spend the night on the side of the road.
Updated information on the road closure can be found through Alberta Highways website and the Alberta Motorists Association’s Twitter account.
Fires have been burning in northern Alberta — about 100 kilometres north of High Level — since Friday. The fires have also forced residents of Zama, Alta., to evacuate their homes.
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