Highway-22 re-opened after evacuation for some areas of MD of Ranchland

LETHBRIDGE  –   ***Up-Date — Fire crews from across southern Alberta continue to battle the wildfire in the MD of Ranchland, which remains out of control.  However, conditions have improved.  Highway-22 from highway-533 south to Highway-3, which was closed to traffic at noon on Wednesday due to heavy smoke and reduced visibility, was re-opened Thursday morning.
 
As of 5:00-pm Wednesday (Oct 25), there was a mandatory evacuation order for residents on all of Chimney Rock Road and south to Highway 520 on the west side of Highway 22. 

While the evacuation order remains in effect, re-entry by some property owners will be allowed today (Thurs), for ranchers who need to attend to livestock. Landowners must obtain a permit from the MD office at Chain Lakes which will authorize re-entry. Those individuals who obtain permits and return are asked to do so via Chimney Rock Road where RCMP will check permits.

RCMP have indicated there are no reported losses of structures due to the fire.

As of 6:00-am Thursday morning, the fire had covered 12-hectares.  On Wednesday, wind gusts in the MD of Ranchland reached near 100-km/h.