Sturgeon County officials preparing for wildfire evacuees to return home
Evacuation order remains in effect for out-of-control wildfire near Redwater
Emergency crews responding to the out-of-control wildfire north of Edmonton say they are getting plans ready for residents to return home.
Officials from Sturgeon County said the more than 3,200-hectare blaze located about 70 kilometres north of Edmonton started earlier this month when an all-terrain vehicle caught fire after an apparent electrical or mechanical failure in the Redwater Provincial Recreation Area.
The county says responders are now preparing to let residents return as soon as they deem the situation safe enough to do so. Last week, it was reported that 71 homes were evacuated.
WATCH | What caused the Redwater wildfire?
Until then, residents and the general public are being reminded to stay away from the evacuation area and that anyone caught in that zone could be charged.
While the evacuation order remains in effect, nearby residents who were on evacuation alert were told Monday they no longer need to prepare to leave on short notice.
Crews from across the province have been called in over the past week to help battle the fire.
In the latest update from the province on Monday, Alberta Wildfire said that the fire is still classified as out-of-control, but firefighters are continuing to make good progress on containing its perimeter.
Alberta Wildfire said the fire showed little activity on Sunday, and higher humidity continues to keep the fire behaviour low.
With files from CBC Edmonton