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An evacuation order has been lifted for a subdivision in the County of Barrhead, northwest of Edmonton, after officials said a wildfire in the area had been extinguished.
At around 11 a.m. Friday, the County of Barrhead’s website announced that residents could return to the Thunder Lake subdivision. It said fire department members and county officials are on scene to assist with re-entry.
Debbie Oyarzun, county manager, told CBC Friday that several buildings were destroyed or damaged in the fire.
“There were 13 properties [that] were impacted at some level anywhere from outbuildings being burnt or singed, all the way through to complete loss,” Oyarzun said, adding that six buildings were destroyed.
Some residents were forced out on Thursday as the flames grew closer to residential areas of the county. On Friday morning, the county said crews were canvassing areas where some structures were lost.
Shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday an Alberta Emergency Alert said the county had issued a state of local emergency because of the fire. Initially, an evacuation order was issued for the Summerlea subdivision but, about 45 minutes later, it was expanded to include the Thunder Lake subdivision.
The county said the fire had been contained as of Thursday evening. The evacuation order for Summerlea ended shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday.
Thunder Lake is located about 100 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.