Weather and overall forest fire conditions have improved in Labrador West, allowing essential workers, for now, to return to the town.

The partial lifting of the evacuation order was announced by Premier Andrew Furey during a news briefing this morning from Wabush.

The plan is for the full evacuation order to be lifted as of noon on Monday, when all residents will be allowed to return home.

But the next 24 to 48 hours will be reserved for the return of essential workers including hospital and health care staff, employees of the local IGA grocery store, town staff and workers with IOC.

Family members of essential workers may also return with them, followed by patients displaced from the hospital.

People who are not sure if or when they can return home can call 709-729-3830 or 1-833-845-0775 for clarification.

Furey credited favourable weather conditions, specifically rain in the area, combined with firefighting efforts on the ground and from the air to get the fire under control.

As well, he announced that the provincial ban on open fires has been lifted for the island of Newfoundland but remains in place in Labrador.

Three streams of financial assistance will also be available for those affected by the evacuation, which Furey said was the largest in the province’s history.