Hundreds forced from reserve by smoke allowed to return home

MEANDER RIVER — Hundreds of people from the Dene Tha’ First Nation in northern Alberta are being allowed to return to their homes.

The reserve’s fire chief says a voluntary evacuation order issued last week due to smoke from nearby forest fires has been lifted.

Sidney Chambaud says air-quality tests show it is now safe for the 408 residents to return to their community at Meander River, about 850 kilometres north of Edmonton.

He says some seniors and those with chronic health conditions have been advised to remain in nearby High Level awhile longer.

Another 160 residents were forced to flee Zama City last week as a fire came within 10 kilometres of their tiny hamlet.

The evacuation order remains in place, but today one member per household is being allowed to return on a bus to collect essential items from homes.

this week

• SLIDESHOW — Red Deer standoff ends peacefully • May-14-2013
• Man faces multiple charges following Tuesday standoff • May-15-2013
• Flames force evacuations • May-13-2013
• Warrants issued for suspects in carjacking near Blackfalds • May-17-2013
• Police squad targets local organized crime • May-16-2013
• Remains identified as those of Rocky man • May-17-2013
• Man stabbed in Red Deer park • May-14-2013
• RCMP charge two more men with murder • May-17-2013
• Man stabbed in Red Deer apartment • May-17-2013
• Case of missing Red Deer pig must close by June • May-14-2013

last week

• Red Deer College suspends 6 programs, cuts 32 jobs • May-09-2013
• Man crosses river to save woman • May-09-2013
• Tower plunge victim named • May-08-2013
• Police probe homicide • May-07-2013
• Diversified Glycol Services warehouse destroyed by fire • May-08-2013
• Shoppers flock to Target • May-07-2013
• Worker falls to death from wireless tower • May-08-2013
• Target opening in Red Deer Tuesday • May-06-2013
• Wildfire west of Nordegg held in place • May-08-2013

Red Deer Advocate