An emergency alert issued in Alberta on Sunday for a wildfire in Cypress County west of Irvine has been lifted. The fire was successfully contained, thanks to the dedicated efforts of firefighters and partners, preventing any damage to residences. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes late Sunday.
The alert was initially issued at 12:59 p.m. concerning a wildfire threatening residential homes south of Highway 1 along Range Road 40 with westward winds. Range Road 40 has now reopened in both directions at eastbound Highway 1.
Despite progress, firefighters remain active at the site, with ongoing operations throughout Sunday evening. Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright confirmed that the fire is now under control, and no homes were destroyed. He commended the collaborative response involving Cypress County, provincial wildfire teams, HALO air ambulance, and local emergency responders, emphasizing the coordinated effort to avert a larger disaster.
Crews will continue monitoring for flare-ups or fire growth in the coming days. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with dry conditions in the region likely contributing to its ignition. The affected area is southeast of Medicine Hat, approximately 330 kilometers from Calgary.
