(Fort McMurray) A wildfire that forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes in several Fort McMurray neighborhoods last week is no longer classified as out of control.
Alberta Wildfire says the fire, which is still burning south of the city and spans nearly 2,000 square kilometers, was reclassified as “under control” Sunday evening.
Alberta Wildfire, which announced the change on social media, says recent rains have allowed firefighters and heavy equipment operators to make excellent progress in containing the fire.
About 6,600 residents of the Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace neighborhoods were forced to rush from their homes Tuesday, but rainy weather late last week helped firefighters contain the flames and all people evacuees were allowed to return on Saturday.
An evacuation alert for the entire city of Fort McMurray, which told residents to be ready to leave at short notice, was lifted at the same time.
Alberta Wildfire says more than 40 millimeters of rain have fallen on the fire since May 16.