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Forest fire threatening Fort McMurray changed to 'contained' – Winnipeg Free Press

Posted on by Neons

Fort McMurray, Alta. – The wildfire that forced thousands to evacuate several areas of Fort McMurray last week is no longer classified as out of control.

Alberta Wildfire says the fire, which is still burning south of the city and is about 2,000 square kilometers in size, was reclassified as “containment” late Sunday.

Alberta Wildfire, which announced the change on social media, says recent rains have allowed firefighters and heavy equipment operators to make excellent progress fighting the blaze.

A wildfire that forced thousands to evacuate several Fort McMurray neighborhoods last week is no longer classified as out of control. Firefighters monitor a pump on a creek bed used for sprinklers for a wildfire near Grayling Terrace, an evacuated Fort McMurray, Alta., Thursday, May 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A wildfire that forced thousands to evacuate several Fort McMurray neighborhoods last week is no longer classified as out of control. Firefighters monitor a pump on a creek bed used for sprinklers for a wildfire near Grayling Terrace, an evacuated Fort McMurray, Alta., Thursday, May 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

About 6,600 residents in the Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace neighborhoods were forced to leave their homes in haste on Tuesday, but rainy weather late last week helped firefighters contain the blaze and all evacuees were allowed to return on Saturday.

An evacuation warning for Fort McMurray residents to be prepared to leave at short notice has been lifted at the same time.