By Haylee Winger
After more than two intense weeks of firefighting, the wildfire at the Redwater Recreation Area has officially been classified as under control, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Sturgeon County, the Sturgeon Regional Emergency Management Partnership, and Alberta Wildfire crews.
The wildfire, which scorched 3,230 hectares, is no longer spreading. Over 200 emergency personnel worked tirelessly on the ground and in the air to contain the fire. Thanks to their commitment and rapid response, there was no loss of life, and property loss was limited to three dwellings: one house, a recreational cabin, and an RV trailer.
Fire crews continue to monitor and extinguish hot spots deep within the fire zone, with helicopter support on standby should flare-ups occur. While the situation has stabilized, authorities stress that the Redwater Recreation Area remains closed under Alberta Parks jurisdiction, and all road closures must still be respected to ensure the safety of personnel and the public.
As of 9:00 a.m. on May 21, Sturgeon County has officially lifted its State of Local Emergency. The off-highway vehicle (OHV) and ATV ban has also been removed, and the full fire ban has been reduced to a fire restriction.
Residents are reminded to always know their location and call 911 in case of emergency. For continued updates, visit sturgeoncounty.ca/fire-bans and albertafirebans.ca, or contact Protective Services at 780-939-8400.
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