Dozens of ag societies across the province, including the one in Hinton, 80 kilometres east of Jasper, are offering space to people who have been forced to flee wildfires in Alberta.
A page on the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies’ website shows a map of all locations that have room for evacuees.
According to the association, 60 of its members are offering space, including the River Valley Agricultural Society in Hinton.
Other organizations opening their doors to evacuees include the Cochrane & District Ag Society, the Olds Regional Exhibition and societies in Carstairs, Didsbury, Bowden and many others areas of the province.
Space is available for campers, trailers and livestock, and information about what is available at each location can be found on the website.
Ag societies are opening their doors following the evacuation on July 22 of approximately 25,000 people from the Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park.
A wildfire reached the townsite on July 24, but the full extent of damage within the town is unknown.
On July 25, Premier Danielle Smith said it is believed that 30 to 50 per cent of the town's buildings might be impacted.
In addition to fires in Jasper National Park, there are about 175 wildfires burning in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area, with 54 classified as out-of-control, according to the Province.
Evacuation orders are also in effect for areas within the Municipal District of Bighorn, Little Red River Cree Nation, and the Municipal District of Opportunity.
-with files from Kevin Ma, St. Albert Gazette
