Evacuation orders lifted near Redwater, Alta., as crews gain upper hand on wildfire

People forced from their homes north of Edmonton due to a rapidly spreading wildfire are now allowed to return home.

Evacuation orders for homes near Redwater, Alta., were lifted Tuesday morning — more than a week since they were issued as the flames spread amid high winds and parched conditions.

Sturgeon County officials said all residents previously under evacuation order are allowed to return home immediately.

Despite the evacuation orders lifting, Sturgeon County remains under a state of local emergency. 

Municipal officials cautioned that it will take time to bring the fire under control.

There are lingering safety risks to residents in areas that have burned, officials said.

In a statement Tuesday, county officials urged returning residents to maintain a safe distance from burned areas and give firefighters space to continue their work in battling the flames. 

The wildfire, which had spread from the Redwater Recreation Area into surrounding forests and farmlands, is now classified as being held, meaning it's not expected to grow beyond its current boundaries, if the weather holds.

Redwater is about 70 kilometres north of Edmonton. 

'Still work ahead'

The fire, which has burned more than 3,230 hectares since it began on May 3, was ignited inside the provincial recreation area when an all-terrain vehicle caught fire after an apparent electrical or mechanical failure. 

As the fire continued to grow last week, crews from across the province were called in to manage firefighting operations in partnership with local crews. 

County officials thanked firefighter and emergency responders for their hard work in fighting the fire and keeping residents safe. 

Despite the progress made, firefighters need to dig and expose any remaining hot spots to ensure the fire is contained, county officials said. 

"Firefighters have made excellent progress, but there is still work ahead to bring this wildfire under control," county officials said. 

"There are hot spots within the interior of this fire that need to be extinguished. This work will take time. The fire has burned deeply into the ground in some areas."

Returning evacuees should stay away from stands of burned trees and respect ongoing road closures, officials said. 

A guide will be provided to residents online to assist with re-entry. 

Alberta Wildfire has said activity on the fire has calmed in recent days thanks to higher humidity, cooler temperatures and calming winds.