The forecast of rain has crews battling the Kenow wildfire optimistic.

The fire has spread outside Waterton Lakes National Park into Cardston County and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek and covers about 33-thousand hectares in Alberta.

Wildfire hazard remains extreme across much of southern Alberta.

High winds, high temperatures and low humidity are contributing to intense fire behaviour. Visibility is affected due to intense smoke.

About  500 people are under a mandatory evacuation order from their homes in Waterton townsite, parts of Cardston Country, parts of the MD of Pincher Creek and parts of the Blood Reserve and plans are in place in case the town of Pincher Creek has to be evacuated as well.

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