Recent rain has helped firefighters make significant progress in containing a wildfire that forced thousands of people to evacuate several Fort McMurray neighbourhoods last week. The blaze, which is close to 2,000 square kilometres in size, is no longer classified as out-of-control and has been re-classified to “being held.” Alberta Wildfire announced the change on social media, stating that the rainy weather allowed firefighters and heavy equipment operators to contain the fire.
About 6,600 residents of the Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek, and Grayling Terrace neighbourhoods were evacuated on Tuesday but were able to return to their homes on Saturday after firefighters contained the flames. The evacuation alert for the entire city of Fort McMurray was also lifted at the same time.
Alberta Wildfire reported that over 40 millimetres of rain has fallen on the fire since May 16, aiding in the containment efforts.
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