The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency now considers the Cloverdale Fire near Prince Albert as contained. Senior Vice-President Steve Roberts says that means it hasn’t grown, although the fire could still burn for weeks, but just within its perimeter. He estimates its size at around 5,500 hectares.

Roberts says cooler temperatures and lower winds have helped to suppress the wildfire, along with the efforts of fire crews. He doesn’t expect the wildfire will be completely out for awhile yet. He suggests it will be a matter of weeks, not days, but it’s not expected the perimeter will grow.

That means some of the evacuees are able to return. The City of Prince Albert says evacuees from the City and the RM of Buckland can head back home as of 5 this afternoon (Thurs), but those from the RM of Garden River are still under evacuation orders. Once home, evacuees remain on a precautionary evacuation alert, and should be prepared to leave on short notice. Crews continue to work in the area.

Highway 55 will open at 5 as well, with a 60 km/h speed limit, considering emergency personnel will still be in the area. The estimated 8,000 SaskPower customers waiting for their power to be turned back on will have to wait a little longer. Spokesperson Joel Cherry says the estimate has moved from 2 this afternoon to 8 tonight, because of equipment issues and extremely boggy terrain which is a challenge to get around in.