NNA - The Alberta government has declared a provincial state of emergency as out-of-control wildfires force more residents from their homes. 

Premier Danielle Smith made the announcement at a media briefing Saturday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, at another media briefing about wildfire conditions, Smith suggested the province was considering a state of emergency.

She also described the current wildfire situation in Alberta as an "unprecedented crisis."

Under the Emergency Management Act, declaring a state of emergency is a legal mechanism that provides the provincial government with a higher level of intergovernmental co-ordination by working with municipalities, organizations and businesses to support evacuated residents.

This also allows around the clock monitoring of the situation, access to emergency discretionary funds, the ability to mobilize additional support.

Nearly 25,000 Albertans have been forced from their homes as wildfires continue to rage in north and central Alberta, while 5,200 residents are on evacuation alert. 

The number of active fires increased to 110 from 103, as hot and dry conditions led to fast-spreading wildfires that threatened homes, businesses and lives.

Thirty-six of those fires were considered out-of-control. --- CBC