Evacuation order lifted in Yellowhead County
Two wildfires have forced more than a thousand people from their homes west of Edmonton, but more residents learned they're allowed to go back on Wednesday.
A day after the Parkland County evacuation order was lifted, Yellowhead County residents were also allowed to return to the Wildwood area as of 3 p.m.
"The fire is still burning to the north and it is still considered out of control, but they've been able to contain it within a perimeter that makes us feel we can lift this notice to get people back in their homes for now," Yellowhead County mayor Wade Williams said.
"They'll be on a 30-minute evacuation notice. So if that fire flares up and gets out of that perimeter, then we will have to do another evacuation, so we've asked everybody to keep things packed and ready to go."
Wildwood resident Brian Howe is looking forward to going home, two days after he left.
"Looked like we were in trouble," he recalled to CTV News Edmonton on Wednesday. "You could actually be in Wildwood and it was eight kilometres away and I could see the flames."
Yellowhead County will work with residents who don't feel safe going home yet or have health concerns.
For up-to-date information on the Parkland County and Yellowhead County wildfires, click here.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jessica Robb
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Postal workers begin nationwide strike: union
Thousands of postal workers have begun a nationwide strike, the union representing them says, after negotiations with Canada Post failed to produce an agreement.
Taylor Swift in Toronto: Highlights from Night 1 of the 'Eras Tour'
'Toronto, Welcome to the Eras Tour!' Taylor Swift told a roaring sold-out crowd at the Rogers Centre on Thursday night as she began the Canadian leg of her record-breaking tour.
McDavid scores to reach 1,000 points, adds OT assist in Oilers' 3-2 win over Predators
Connor McDavid scored early in the second period to become the fourth-fastest NHL player to reach 1,000 points, then assisted on Darnell Nurse's overtime goal in the Edmonton Oilers' 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
Trump chooses anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday he will nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting a man whose views public health officials have decried as dangerous in charge of a massive agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine and food safety to medical research, Medicare and Medicaid.
Canada urged to cut government-funded research collaborations with China: report
A newly released report is urging Canada to immediately end all government-funded research collaborations with China in a variety of different areas.
Police foil attempted $13,000 cheese theft in North Vancouver
Police in North Vancouver say they prevented the theft of nearly $13,000 worth of cheese from a grocery store earlier this year. Now, they're asking the public for help finding the alleged thief.
Star Wars Hallmark Christmas ornament recalled over mould concerns
Hallmark Canada has recalled a Star Wars-themed Christmas ornament after mould was found on several of the products.
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
Centre Block renovation facing timeline and budget 'pressures'
The multi-billion-dollar renovation of parliament’s Centre Block building continues to be on time and on budget, but construction crews are facing 'pressures' when it comes to the deadline and total costs, according to the department in charge of the project.