The evacuation order for Leduc County was lifted Sunday at 9:30 p.m. after a wildfire just southwest of Edmonton broke out Saturday afternoon.
The evacuation order was issued at 3:12 p.m. Saturday and included people living on farms and acreages just west of Devon. The evacuation zone was from Township Road 504 north to the North Saskatchewan River, between Range Road 270 and Range Road 265. It did not include the town itself.
The wildfire was three kilometres west of the town of Devon and three kilometres south of the North Saskatchewan River, and the county said wind was pushing the flames towards the river.
Everyone in the affected area was told to leave immediately.
On Sunday night, the county and Alberta Emergency Alerts said the evacuation order was lifted and impacted residents who registered were notified.
“The Township Road 504 wildfire is under control and crews remain on scene monitoring conditions,” the county said.
Township Road 504 and Range Roads 265 and 271 were reopened.
Leduc County was fighting the fire with helicopter support, officials said.
People who live just across the river in Parkland County were told the fire does not currently pose a threat, but to be on alert to evacuate in case the situation changes.
Earlier Saturday afternoon, the county said its fire crews were on the north side of the river and are monitoring for embers that may transfer over if the fire reaches the river’s edge.
People who live in the following subdivisions and areas were told to be prepared to evacuate:
- Mystic Ridge
- Princess Estates
- Chelsea Estates
- Riverside RV Park
Gather pets, important documents and enough food and water for at least three days.
Once people have evacuated to a safe location, they are asked to phone 780-955-4546 to register with the county.
Devon is about 20 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.
The province reported the wildfire situation remained volatile Saturday, as firefighters raced to contain the 87 active wildfires — 26 of which are considered out of control — across the province.
Provincial officials provided an update on the wildfire crisis at a news conference on Saturday afternoon.
They said very hot and dry ground conditions persist this weekend, despite cooler temperature and rain in some areas. Fires are expected to grow and start with temperatures higher than the relative humidity.
There are over 1,500 Albertans working on the blazes — a number that includes firefighters, Alberta Wildfire staff and others.
There are 284 firefighters from outside the province now helping and another 200 firefighters from the U.S. are on their way.
About 200 members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to the Grande Prairie, Fox Creek and Drayton Valley areas to help.
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