Three active wildfires remain in the High Level Forest Area and two are still burning out of control.
The Chuckegg Creek Wildfire is burning at around 276,000 hectares.
The Jackpot Creek Wildfire near Steen River is at around 28,000 hectares.
The evacuation order issued for all residents west of Blues Creek, north of Highway 697, west of Range Road 180 and north of Township Road 1030 and La Crete Ferry Campground remains in effect.
There are two areas that need to be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
One is north of the Peace River to Township Rd. 1110, west of Range Rd. 120, and east of Highway 35 south and southeast of High Level.
The second area is south of the Peace River to Township Rd. 1030, west of Range Rd. 120 and east of Blues Creek, north of Highway 697, east of Range Rd. 180.
The County of Northern Lights has also declared a State of Local Emergency and has issued a Mandatory Evacuation Order for residents in the Keg River and Carcajou areas.
The good news is, today’s cooler temperatures and rain showers have helped to decrease fire activity.
The mandatory evacuation order for the Town of High Level was lifted as of 10 a.m. this morning.
ATCO has restored power supply and normal operations have returned for the Town of High Level, La Crete, Fort Vermilion and Dene Tha’ First Nation.
Alberta Wildfire currently has 452 firefighters, 130 structural firefighters and 41 helicopters in action.
Classes have been cancelled for the rest of the school year in a northern Alberta school district due to smoke from wildfires in the region.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says the closure of schools in the Fort Vermillion division is related to their ventilation systems – but it will give families one less thing to worry about during a difficult time.
The division covers several communities including High Level, where residents were evacuated two weeks ago due to a massive wildfire near the community.
w/ files from The Canadian Press
