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Evacuees able to return home May 7

Residents living near Range Road 214 and 215, north of Township Road 674, but south of the Athabasca River were originally evacuated late May 4.
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Three days after they were told to evacuate due to an uncontrolled wildfire, residents in the Jackfish Lake area were able to return home May 7, although they are warned to be ready to leave again if the situation changes. The fire burned 2,536 hectares of land before crews from multiple fire departments, as well as provincial agencies, were able to contain it.

ATHABASCA – Three days after locals in the Jackfish Lake area were told to evacuate, Athabasca County officials have lifted the evacuation notice.

At 4 p.m., May 7, the evacuation order for Range Road 214 and 215, north of Township Road 674 to the Athabasca River, was lifted after Alberta Forestry and Parks deemed that the fire had been held. A prepare-to-evacuate notice is still in place and residents are asked to use caution due to high traffic and firefighting equipment in the area.

The fire burned 2,536 hectares of land approximately 10 kilometres northeast of the Town of Athabasca before crews were able to get it under control. While ground crews are still fighting hotspots, the dozer work has been completed. Drone flying is still strictly prohibited due to ongoing air operations.

At 11:21 p.m., May 4, an evacuation notice was sent to everyone residing on Range Road 214 and 215, north of Township Road 674, to the Athabasca River which is roughly 10 kilometres northeast of the Town of Athabasca. Property owners between Jackfish Lake and the river were instructed to prepare for a possible evacuation at the same time.

The wildfire originated near Jackfish Lake May 3. Crews continue to work in rotation with teams from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development fighting the fire, as well as the public works department from Athabasca County alongside firefighters from Athabasca, Boyle, and Colinton.

Cole Brennan, TownandCountryToday.com

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