By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Moon River Estates residents begin returning home after narrow escape

Oct 18, 2017 | 10:13 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A massive firefighting effort involving several communities saved the hamlet of Moon River Estates, just west of Lethbridge.

Cynthia Vizzutti, chief administrative officer for the M.D. of Willow Creek, said a wildfire that threatened the hamlet Tuesday, Oct. 17 was under control by late in the evening, and extinguished by 4 a.m. The fire had forced all of the hamlet’s residents, numbering over 100, to evacuate the community.

The first evacuees were instructed to travel to Lethbridge. Vizzutti said others were forced to shelter in place when they found the exit blocked.

Once it was safe, they were escorted out and directed to Fort Macleod, where she said the town did a wonderful job looking after the residents.

The municipality began coordinating the re-entry of residents starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Vizzutti said there was believed to be damage to one home. The fire also burned some fields and hay bales.

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“Unbelievable support for our residents,” she said about the firefighting response. “All the M.D. of Willow Creek town fire departments were there.” The list includes Nanton, Stavely, Granum, Fort Macleod, and Claresholm, as well as from Nobleford and Coalhurst in neighbouring Lethbridge County, and support from the city and county of Lethbridge.

“It was just unbelievable partnership and mutual effort to help our folks down in Moon River Estates and area.”