FOG BLOG CANADA NEWS LOG: RAIN EXPECTED TO HELP WILDFIRE NEAR EDMONTON:

Rain expected to help in fight against fast-moving wildfire west of Edmonton.......Fire could be contained by nightfall, but peat bogs could keep it smouldering for weeks, fire chief warns........Rain is expected to give firefighters the upper hand on a fast-moving Alberta wildfire that has destroyed more than 1,000 hectares of land and triggered evacuation orders in areas west of Edmonton.

Residents who live near in or near the hamlet of Tomahawk in Parkland County, about 100 kilometres west of the capital, have been ordered to leave their homes.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of the area Thursday evening. The evacuation zone expanded overnight due to high winds.

The most recent critical alert issued says the evacuation area is now defined by Highway 22 to the west, Township Road 524 to the north, Range Road 63 to the east and Township Road 510 to the south. Anyone in the area must leave immediately.

In a statement issued shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, Parkland County said the fire is expected to be contained by nightfall due to the forecasted rain, with Environment Canada saying as much as 15 millimetres is expected in the region overnight.

The county said the fire has covered at least 1,000 hectares or roughly 2,500 acres.