Officials have said that water bombers are attempting to fight a massive bush fire raging out of control in Thorhild County, Alberta, Canada.

The Edmonton (Alberta) Journal has reported that homes and farmhouses bordering forest areas went down as high winds blew sparks onto cedar shingled-roofs and wood barns, causing them to catch fire in minutes.

Homeowner Gladys Wachowich, who watched a neighbor's house burn down, said on Saturday, "You very quickly put things into perspective and this isn't critical. I still have a house to live in. The danger is not over yet."

The fire began Wednesday and has spread to 220,000 acres of grass and brush.

The Journal also said that many firefighters and volunteers are working with minimal sleep, three or four hours a night.

Brydon Ward, a spokesman for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, said that the blaze was completely surrounded by Saturday afternoon, but was still considered out of control.

Ward said, "We don't expect to get a handle on it in the near future."

Ward further added, "It's the volunteers that have really come to the fore on this. These guys aren't getting a cent and they're really working for their community." (With Inputs from Agencies)