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Southern Alberta wildfires brought under control after village evacuated

CARMANGAY, Alta. — Officials say grass fires in southern Alberta were brought under control Sunday, hours after a village began evacuating. 

Residents of Carmangay, Alta., who were forced from their homes earlier in the day were told they could return in the evening. 

Police said the fire spanned between 11 and 16 kilometres across.

Carmangay Mayor Stacey Hovde said firefighters worked tirelessly to rein in the fire, which was just a few kilometres away from his village. 

Emergency alerts affecting Vulcan County and the Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26 were lifted when the fires were contained. 

Hovde said that on Saturday night, a separate fire destroyed the Grange Hotel in Carmangay, which had stood since 1905.

Hovde said no injuries were reported.

"We're having a heck of a 24 hours," he said. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2021.

The Canadian Press

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