MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - As the Municipal District (MD) of Bighorn wildfire remains out-of-control but is not growing exponentially, the evacuation reception centre in Water Valley remains open Friday, again under reduced hours.
Mountain View County and MD of Bighorn staff will be at the Water Valley Community Hall until 4 p.m. Friday.
An evacuation order declared by the MD of Bighorn Tuesday due to the wildfire burning in the north Ranchlands area was stepped down Thursday to an evacuation alert.
The fire is now estimated to be 82.9 hectares in size. Earlier on Thursday, it was reported to be 110 hectares, up from 73 hectares on Wednesday (July 24).
"Any persons self-evacuating are asked to inform the reception centre as they leave. Those who are re-entering the area should check in and check out at the reception centre," the MD of Bighorn said in a update Friday.
An area closure remains in effect in the immediate area surrounding the fire and an evacuation alert is in effect for residents in the MD of Bighorn west of Water Valley (Doc Mills Road (RR62A), Whispering Pines Road (TWP 294A), and Burnt Timber Road. Under an evacuation alert residents should be prepared to evacuate on one hour notice.
