Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Northern Alberta residents start returning home after evacuation due to fires

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Jun, 2019 10:14 PM

    Some residents in northern Alberta have started to return home after wildfires forced them to leave their communities two weeks ago.

    An evacuation order was lifted for residents of High Level, the surrounding areas of Mackenzie County and the Dene Tha' First Nation communities of Bushe River, Meander River and Chateh.

    Officials say the 4,000 people who are allowed to return home remain on evacuation alert and should be prepared to leave on short notice if conditions change.

    The last recorded size of the Chuckegg Creek fire near High Level was about 2,800 square kilometres.

    The Alberta government also announced that schools in the Fort Vermilion School Division will be closed for the rest of the year.

    Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says it's related to the wildfires and the school's ventilation systems.

    "An inspection by the school division's insurance holder has indicated that all of the schools need to be professionally cleaned," she said in a news release Monday.

    "The safety of students is my No. 1 priority. This closure will give them one less thing to worry about and help them focus on being with their families during this difficult time."

    Another fire still has the town of Slave Lake on evacuation alert. A quickly moving wildfire in 2011 destroyed nearly one-third of that community.

    Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, some communities in the County of Northern Lights, Bigstone Cree Nation, parts of the municipal district of Opportunity, and several other hamlets and First Nations in northern Alberta.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Experts Call For Ban On Waste Exports After Philippine Garbage Embarrassment

     One of Canada's foremost experts on the garbage industry says the only way to stop Canadian trash from ending up in foreign ports and landfills is for Canada to ban waste exports altogether.

    Experts Call For Ban On Waste Exports After Philippine Garbage Embarrassment

    Saskatchewan Takes Federal Carbon Tax Fight To Supreme Court Of Canada

    The Saskatchewan government has filed notice that it is taking its challenge of the federal carbon tax to the Supreme Court of Canada.  

    Saskatchewan Takes Federal Carbon Tax Fight To Supreme Court Of Canada

    Akshay Kumar Enjoys Wide Popularity Overseas: Study

    Akshay Kumar has secured the top spot in a list of popular Bollywood actors outside India, according to a study.

    Akshay Kumar Enjoys Wide Popularity Overseas: Study

    'Unusual Mortality Event' Declared As Grey Whales Appear On West Coast Beaches

    'Unusual Mortality Event' Declared As Grey Whales Appear On West Coast Beaches
    The American federal agency dedicated to ocean science has declared an "unusual mortality event" as the bodies of dozens of grey whales wash up on West Coast beaches in Canada and the U.S.

    'Unusual Mortality Event' Declared As Grey Whales Appear On West Coast Beaches

    Thousands Crowd Streets Around Toronto To Cheer On The Raptors In Playoff Game

    Thousands Crowd Streets Around Toronto To Cheer On The Raptors In Playoff Game
    TORONTO — Thousands of fans in the Toronto area are taking to the streets to cheer on the Raptors as the city hosts the NBA Finals for the first time.  

    Thousands Crowd Streets Around Toronto To Cheer On The Raptors In Playoff Game

    Canadian Tourist Recounts Aftermath Of Boat Collision On The Danube

    BUDAPEST, Hungary — A Canadian tourist who was on the Danube River in Budapest when two boats collided Wednesday says the experience was "surreal and "sobering".

    Canadian Tourist Recounts Aftermath Of Boat Collision On The Danube