Residents who were evacuated due to the fire near Sexton Lumber in Lethbridge are now allowed to return home.

Those in the area of Oldford’s Hill on Bayside Drive to the bridge at Forest Drive were forced to leave on Sunday after fire broke out in the bark pile and spread to the nearby forest.

Residents can now return home, however the area remains under an evacuation alert.

Crews remain on the scene of the fire, which is about a hectare in size and remains listed as out-of-control.