Evacuees from Paradise Valley, Patterson Road area of Hay River return home
Fire is now 20,000 hectares in size, but hasn't come closer to town
The fire situation in Hay River, N.W.T., has improved over the last couple of days, says Mayor Andrew Cassidy.
An update issued today at noon by the fire department says the fire situation is "stable with favourable winds and slightly cooler weather" and that there is "no immediate threat to all areas of the Town of Hay River including the Corridor and Reserve."
The wildfire near the town is now more than 20,000 hectares in size, but it has pushed away from the community.
On Monday night, the fire department issued a voluntary evacuation notice for residents living along the southern corridor of town on Patterson Road and in Paradise Valley.
Cassidy said that area is still at the highest risk, but winds and weather are now working in their favour.
"Our family took part in the voluntary evacuation, so I'm right in it with the neighbours as well," he said.
"Quite a few people did leave; there were also a number of people who stayed. Since then everyone has basically come back."
Fire crews did some controlled backburns along the Hay River Wednesday night, starting in the community of Enterprise to just north of Paradise Valley.
"They actually went and lit a number of fires intentionally to try and get rid of some of the fuel in the event the fire starts to come over this way," he said.
Cassidy said crews will continue to monitor the situation and the weather to determine their strategy for the next few days.