By Lara Fominoff - Lethbridge News Now

Kenow Fire still burning out of control but threat to homes, landowners diminishes

Sep 14, 2017 | 3:02 PM

WATERTON LAKES NP – Despite receiving 6 millimetres of rain overnight, Parks Canada says the Kenow fire is still 36,000 hectares and classified as out of control.

The good news is that the fire did not grow overnight at all and the Waterton townsite and its structures are not at risk anymore.

Fire officials saywhile the cooler temperatures and precipitation are providing some relief, the evacuation order for the National Park remains in effect because the fire burned so deeply and the vegetation was critically dry.

No one should attempt to get into the park at this time to everyone except emergency vehicles and authorized personnel.

South Castle

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In the Castle area, on the west side of Sage Mountain, the fire remains steady at about 500 hectares and is not expected to grow any further at this time.

Helicopters have been bucketing the blaze, but because of poor visibility, water tankers have not been able to help out.

All Calgary Forest protection areas south of highway 532 remain closed to the public.

According to the Alberta Emergency Alert system, the evacuation area in the Twin Butte area has been reduced.

An evacuation order is still in effect for Oil Basin Road (Township Road 3-2) to Waterton Park, and Castle Mountain Resort area also remains under the evacuation order.

A local state of emergency remains in effect.

Cardston County

As of noon Thursday (Sept. 14), according to their Facebook page, the evacuation order for the county has been recinded, and everyone can go back home.

A local state of emergency however, remains in effect.

To gain re-entry, those who were evacuated are being asked to go to either the Cardston County Administration Building, or the Barn Store, located in Mountain View.

There will also be a County truck at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 800 until 2:00 p.m. this afternoon.

Those returning will be required to sign in and confirm that they have received an information package.

Included in the package is safety information from Alberta Health Services, and local utilities.