‘Huge relief’ as Drayton Valley residents return home after wildfire evacuation

By Kelly Geraldine Malone and Angela Amato
Canadian Press in CTV News
May 17, 2023
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

ALBERTA — Drayton Valley Mayor Nancy Dodds said it was emotional to return home nearly two weeks after an out-of-control wildfire forced residents to flee, but thousands elsewhere remain on edge as scores of fires continue to rage across much of the West. Fire Chief Tom Thomson said while the fire risk has eased significantly, people should take precautions. “There are still extremely hazardous areas out in the county area. We call it the burn area or the black area. There are concerns about falling trees, there are concerns about ash pits,” he said. More than 11,900 people in Alberta remain forced from their homes. Ninety-one active wildfires were burning in the province, with 27 listed as out of control as of Wednesday afternoon. …Hotter and drier temperatures are in the forecast and there’s a fire ban for nearly the entire province. There were also 25 active wildfires in Saskatchewan as of Wednesday afternoon.

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