PERTH-ANDOVER, N.B. -- The Red Cross says evacuation orders for about 200 homes in western New Brunswick were lifted Thursday as the threat diminished from a nearby forest fire.
The organization says two reception centres set up for evacuees in the Perth-Andover area were closed and emergency volunteers from communities in the province were sent home.
Hundreds of people fled their homes near the Tobique First Nation late Wednesday as a wildfire raged in the hills north of Perth-Andover.
By Thursday morning, Mayor Terry Ritchie said the fire appeared to be running out of fuel and rain was helping take care of matters.
The website for the Department of Natural Resources says the fire is now considered contained.
More than 290 forest fires have been reported in the province this year, covering an area of more than 687 hectares.
