The number of out-of-control wildfires in alberta has fallen sharply to 15 – down from 50 two weeks ago.
That was the good news from officials Wednesday afternoon.
Rain, cooler weather and the hard work of hundreds of Canadian and international firefighters are being thanked.
Residents of Little Red River Cree Nation in the far north have started going home – even though a complex of six wildfires remains out of control in that area.
Officials say there is a fire line and structure protection measures in place to protect the community.
“It’s a decision the nation can make and we’re supporting them all the way in assuring that their residents get back safely. We also know that with the smoke conditions that are there, the n95 masks are being supplied and handed out,” explained Joe Zatylny, Alberta Emergency Management Agency.
In Jasper, there is still no timeline for when residents can return there. 37 people toured the town by bus Wednesday and the province says the buses will keep running as long as residents want to go.
It was two weeks ago Wednesday that a fire blew into Jasper, destroying more than 350 homes and businesses.