Residents of High Level and surrounding communities in Mackenzie County fled their homes on May 20 as the Chuckegg Creek wildfire set its sights on the town.
On Monday, nearly 4,000 evacuees will be allowed to return homes after 10 a.m. The out-of-control Chuckegg Creek wildfire is still burning and sitting at 279,551 hectares in size. The out-of-control Jackpot Creek Wildfire around Steen River is burning at 24,730 hectares. There are 68 firefighters and 9 helicopters working on the fire.
I am starting to get shivers, and not because it’s a little chilly. This is amazing pic.twitter.com/P8UgRoE81c
— Dustin Cook (@dustin_cook3) June 3, 2019
10:51 a.m. Evacuees greeted by massive Canadian flag
Town firefighters in High Level are standing on the corner with a massive Canadian flag raised attached to a firetruck as they welcome residents back into town.
Fire chief Rodney Schmidt with structural protection said crews in surrounding communities took shifts today so the High Level firefighters could be here to welcome residents back.
But Schmidt says there’s still a lot of work to be done in the area as the wildfire continues south of the town. So High Level crews will get a day off to spend with family, get some rest and then it’s back to work.
10 a.m. “All barbecued out”
High Level evacuees began pouring back into town Monday morning as police and town officials welcomed the community with open arms.
One resident said he’s “all barbecued out” after he was invited to the town event at 11 a.m. this morning. Drivers are yelling thank yous out the window at the all the town officials and officers here.
Residents are reminded that the town remains under an evacuation alert and not stay away from burned areas around town.
“Returning home may be stressful and traumatic,” reads a statement from High Level mayor Crystal McAteer in a handout to evacuees. “First responders have worked very hard to protect our communities. We are grateful to them, and to everyone who is working to get our communities up and running again.
“Some services may be limited at first, but health care, police, and other essential services are already in place.”
A sprinkler ban is in effect in the area until further notice.
Water needs to be conserved for firefighting efforts and for household uses including laundry,” officials said in a Facebook update Monday. “Please don’t water your lawn or wash your vehicles.”
9:45 a.m. Maintaining supplies
A Facebook post from the Town of High Level Monday morning is reminding residents in the area to stay proactive and maintain supplies for two to three days in case of another emergency.
“The grocery stores have been working hard to make sure they are stocked and ready for your return. The conditions in the area are still very dry and the wildfire remains very active and unpredictable.”
9:15 a.m. ‘They want to be home’
High Level mayor Crystal McAteer said she can’t wait to give her grandson a big hug when he returns to town Monday after being evacuated for two weeks. It’s been a lengthy road to returning for about 4,000 residents who were forced to flee their homes May 20 due to a raging wildfire from the south.
“I’m very happy that people are finally coming home,” McAteer said. “They have been away for two weeks now and the phone calls and texts and everything that I am receiving is that they have been very well looked after but they want to be home.”
The town and surrounding communities in Mackenzie County and the Dene Tha’ First Nation will remain under an evacuation alert as the Chucked Creek wildfire just under 280,000 hectares continues to blaze.
McAteer said the wildfire has been eye-opening for the communities and have made them better prepared for emergencies in the future.
“I’ve never been through anything like this before and normal for us is going to be on high alert,” she said. “We did everything on the fly.”
Essential businesses in the area including banks and grocery stores will be up and running Monday morning.
8 a.m. Cooler temperatures and rain decrease fire activity
Evacuation orders have been lifted for a number of Mackenzie County communities while scattered rain showers and cooler temperatures helped decrease fire activity in the area Sunday.
“Firefighters utilized east winds yesterday to complete a successful controlled burn by the Boyer Towers on the east side of the fire, tying the burn and fire perimeter to Highway 35,” Alberta Wildfire officials said in a Sunday evening update. “This controlled burn will help protect the towers and limit the fire’s ability to progress further east by eliminating available forest fuels.”
According to Mackenzie County officials, the evacuation order has been lifted for residents east of Blues Creek, north of Highway 697, east of Blue Hills Road (Range Road 180) including residents along Blue Hills Road and south of Township Road 1030.
“This area remains on 8-hour Evacuation Alert.”
The re-entry for the Blue Hills/Tompkins area of Mackenzie County will start effective Monday at 8 a.m.
Evacuation orders remain
However, mandatory evacuation order remains in place for the area west of Blues Creek, west of Blue Hills Rd., also known as Range Rd. 180, and north of Township Rd. 1030 and La Crete Ferry Campground to the Peace River.
Furthermore, there are still out of control wildfires in the MD of Opportunity and officials are reminding residents to not be in these areas.
Evacuation orders remain in place for communities including the Hamlet of Wabasca, Bigstone Cree Nation – Wabasca # 166, and Chipewyan Lake Village.
“There is heavy smoke in the area and numerous road closures due to the wildfires,” reads an alert .
Evacuation orders remain in place for County of Northern Lights, and Peerless Trout First Nation.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
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