(CNN) Nearly 5,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in northern Alberta, Canada, to escape a monstrous blaze that has reached nearly 230,000 acres, officials in the province said. The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire, burning in Mackenzie County just two miles south of the town of High Level, has been torching ground for more than two days. This is from about 2 hours ago, south of town. Residents should be prepared to be away from home for at least 72 hours, officials said. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the town of High Level and the Dene Tha' First Nation communities of Bushe River and Meander River.

Source: CNN May 22, 2019 07:25 UTC