FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. -- Alberta officials have lifted mandatory evacuation orders in some areas north of Fort McMurray, where a raging wildfire has forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 people and the closure of oil sands operations.

Officials said Saturday that conditions have improved in some parts north of the oil sands city. Suncor Energy Inc. and Syncrude will now be able to resume its idled northern oil sands operations and bring back evacuated workers.

About 8,000 oil sands workers in camps north of Fort McMurray were evacuated after gusting winds and high temperatures caused the fire to move rapidly toward them earlier this week.

The blaze, which began May 1, has covered 5,000 square kilometres, including areas that are still burning and those where the fire has already been put out.