Grande Prairie wildfire evacuation order downgraded for some residents

The Kiskatinaw River wildfire along the B.C.-Alberta border can be seen from the sky in early June. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire)

The County of Grande Prairie said some residents can return home after being forced to flee a wildfire that jumped the B.C. border.

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The county first ordered the mandatory evacuation of some areas on June 5 due to the Kiskatinaw River wildfire, which was approaching the Alberta-B.C. border. The order was expanded multiple times after the fire advanced into the province the next day.

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In a Wednesday update, the county said residents north of Township Roads 700 to 710 could return home, as well as residents north of Township Road 740 to Highway 42, west of the border to Range Road 130.

As the 21,679-hectare wildfire remained out of control, the county said everyone returning home must remain on alert and be ready to leave again with 30 minutes notice.

An evacuation order remained in place for everyone north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the border to Range Road 130.

Information on returning home can be found on the county’s website.