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Partial reentry for Yellowhead County planned following wildfires

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Edson wildfire
Airtankers work on a wildfire near Edson in a Friday, June 9, 2023, handout photo. The town in northwestern Alberta was evacuated due to an out-of-control wildfire. An evacuation order has been issued for the town of Edson and parts of Yellowhead County. Photo by supplied /Government of Alberta Fire Service
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Yellowhead County west of Edmonton is planning for partial reentry for certain areas this evening following a weekend of wildfires that forced residents to evacuate on Friday.

At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Luke Mercier, Yellowhead County chief administrative officer, said that residents in certain areas of the county will be able to return home. But Mercier warns that access to services will be limited for those who are returning home and to be prepared.

“You can (come back home) but you need to recognize that you cannot come into town at this point in time for anything, fuel, food, hospital services,” said Mercier.

The north area in Yellowhead County will be re-opened at 6:00 p.m., and residents need to be prepared to leave within a 4hrs notice.

According to their website, transportation arrangements are being made for Yellowhead County residents who may need assistance to return to the area. A re-entry package will be available after 6:00 p.m., with information for residents returning home,

“The area in Yellowhead County that remains under an Evacuation Order is west of Range Road 114, south of Highway 16 (including the Town of Edson) to Range Road 183, north to Township Road 540 to Range Road 190 to Township Road 550, south to Highway 16, including the Hamlet of Marlboro and Millers Lake, continuing west along Highway 16 to Range Road 213 south to Township 520 and east back to Range Road 114,” said the Yellowhead County website.

However, the Town of Edson, nearly 300km west of Edmonton remains under an evacuation order.

Christine Beveridge, chief administrative officer of the Town of Edson, said that although the rain has helped, firefighters have not been able to push the fire back from the south edge of Edson which is still sitting 1.5km from the town.

“We’re working diligently on a plan for you and we want to make sure that this is easy and as clear as possible for everyone and also the number one priority is your safety,” said Beveridge. 

Beveridge says they will have a detailed return plan for residents later this evening.

There are currently no hospital, medical, gas, grocery or other services available to the public in Edson. Officials are warning residents that emergency crews are tapped out dealing with the fire and there may be no help for those who are deciding to stay and may require assistance.

The province has confirmed that those impacted by the recent evacuations in Edson and Yellowhead County are now eligible for the emergency evacuation payments which can be found on the town’s website, including those who had previously received funding.

On Sunday, Beveridge said in an update the wildfire threatening the town has slowed with shifting weather, but officials have still measured 386 kilometres of new fire line.
Beveridge said crews were removing propane tanks and other combustibles, including vegetation from private properties.
Now estimated at 204,000 hectares, the fire south of the town of 9,000 people has grown about 73,000 hectares since Friday. Firefighters from across the province have come to help protect the community by putting structural guards in place.
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