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EVACUATION ORDER for Hamlet of La Crete and the rural area outside of the hamlet east of Steep Hill Creek, also known as Range Rd. 164, to Range Rd. 150, south of the Peace River, north of Highway 697.



Register at the Fort Vermilion office or call 780-927-3718. #abfire https://t.co/r22R43L0X2 — Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) June 18, 2019

Evacuees were asked to register at the Fort Vermilion reception centre. La Crete was previously on an evacuation alert, but served as a refuge for some High Level evacuees removed from their homes. Hundreds of residents of the Paddle Prairie Metis settlement, about 70 kilometres south of High Level, remained on evacuation as of Tuesday night, more than three weeks after they initially had to leave.

Previously evacuated communities were forced to flee again Monday as the Dene Tha’ First Nation’s Bushe River and Beaver First Nation’s Child Lake reserve and Boyer River reserve were ordered to evacuate Monday night.

The fire moved within six kilometres of the Boyer River cell tower as of Monday night and southwest winds were expected to aid movement of the fire overnight.

The Chuckegg Creek blaze, last measured around 324,200 hectares, grew rapidly in a north-northeast direction Monday. Fire crews completed a back burn along the Peace River to remove vegetation and reduce the risk of the fire spotting across the river.

Easterly winds and continued dry conditions were expected to be challenges Tuesday, causing significant risk of fire spotting up to two kilometres.

High Level town council met Tuesday morning to review the evacuation alert and overnight fire conditions. The community’s approximately 4,000 residents were allowed to return to their homes June 3 after the same wildfire forced a two-week evacuation.