The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has lifted the evacuation order for residents of several communities in Fort McMurray, Alta., who were forced to leave their homes earlier this week due to the threat of wildfire.
About 6,600 residents of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace and Prairie Creek were forced to flee their homes on Tuesday afternoon due to the out-of-control wildfire, which had burned 19,493 hectares as of Saturday.
Officials said recent rains had reduced the intensity of the wildfire and significant progress had been made in containing it on the northern edge.
Fire guard construction has been completed between the northern edge of the fire and Fort McMurray, which will help prevent the wildfire from moving closer to the community, landfill, and Highway 63.
“You can now return home,” Sandy Bowman, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, said in an update Saturday.
“We will be very glad to see you.”
Officials said good progress has been made in containing the northern edge of the wildfire, which is still out of control.
Latest news from Canada and around the world
As it happens, it will be sent to your email.
“Residents will have to live with active wildfires near their communities for weeks, if not months,” Alberta Wildfire Information Officer Josie St-Onge said during an update streamed Saturday morning on social media.
“It will take time and hard work to get a wildfire of this size under control.”
Saint-Onge said the nearest point of the fire is about 5.5 km from the Fort McMurray Landfill and 4.5 km from the intersection of Highways 63 and 881.
He said the fire did not grow on Friday and overnight rain was expected to help reduce fire activity.
Alberta Forests and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said residents still need to be cautious when returning to their homes.
“The Alberta government is prepared to commit the necessary resources to ensure we get this fire under control and move it forward into containment,” he said.
“But because of the hard work that has been done … we can safely get the people of Fort McMurray back into their homes.”
Officials are reminding residents to avoid traveling into wooded areas near the wildfire or flying drones over the area as crews are still actively working to contain the fire.
A fire ban is in effect for Fort McMurray’s urban service area and forest preserve area, banning any type of outdoor fire, including open-air fires, backyard fire pits, fireworks and recreational fires such as charcoal barbecues.
Propane appliances, such as barbecues and gas heaters, are still allowed.
Emergency social services including food and accommodation will continue till 12 noon on Sunday.
Highway 63 and Highway 881 are open and traffic is moving in both directions, officials said.
Alberta wildfire information
For the latest information on which areas of Alberta are under evacuation warnings or orders due to wildfires, go here Alberta emergency alert website,
For the latest information on wildfire conditions and danger across the province, visit Alberta Wildfire Website,
The latest information on fire advisories, restrictions and restrictions across the province can be found here Alberta fire banned website,
more to come…
©2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.