A plan to allow northern evacuees to return to their homes has been set in place even as hundreds of firefighters still struggle to get the Wood Buffalo wildfire under control, and hundreds of others work to restore utilities and other essential municipal and emergency services in Fort McMurray,
Evacuated residents are being advised that they can start a voluntary phased return to their homes starting on Wednesday, June 1. All of those plans are contingent on future wildfire conditions not delaying restoration efforts. Those who return are advised to bring basic necessities (including food, drinking water and prescriptions) to last for up to 14 days.
“Many hazards remain in Fort McMurray. We need to address them before it’s safe for residents to return home,” said Premier Rachel Notley during the public announcement of the plans. “We’ve developed a phased and voluntary re-entry plan with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo that begins with the least damaged areas.”
The re-entry starts with Zone 1 designated as the Lower Townsite and Anzac, before moving to the next zone, which includes Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea (north of Confederation). Please check www.emergency.alberta.ca for a full re-entry schedule along with all other emergency communications regarding the fire and evacuation. Those without Internet access can call the government’s hotline at 310-4455.
People are advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and rubber boots. An N-95 dust mask to filter dust and other air particulates is also recommended.
The re-entry is anticipated to be complete by Wednesday, June 15 to coincide with the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre being restored to operational capacity. Residents of homes lost to the fire will have the opportunity to inspect their property and collect any surviving items before cleanup.
Flights in and out of the Fort McMurray airport have also been tentatively scheduled to return to normal as of Friday, June 10. Schools that were closed during the evacuation will not be conducting formal classes until September, however.
There are still many hazards that exist within the city and throughout the surrounding areas with firefighters reportedly still putting out hotspots. The fire is still considered out of control and now encompasses an area totalling more than 566,000 hectares. Fire conditions in the northeastern area of the province are still high.
“Safe re-entry is essential to any timing and will not be compromised,” said Melissa Blake, the mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. “It is helpful to have a plan that covers both a high need to respect citizens’ wishes to return with only basic services, as well as an extended range that provides a more comfortable re-entry timeline.”
Oilsands operations also have a plan for a phased re-entry. Workers should contact their employers for details.
According to Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, the air quality in Fort McMurray was above 10 (meaning ‘very high risk’) on its scale on Thursday evening. There has been a special air quality statement in effect to advise people of the poor air quality and reduced visibility.
“Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk,” the statement reads. “People with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits.”
It also advises people to check www.airhealth.ca to learn ways to reduce the health risks of smoke and to reduce air pollution.
The provincial government teamed up with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to publish a 36-page Re-Entry Booklet. It can be read and downloaded at asset.rmwb.ca/files/RMWB-Re-Entry%20Information-Booklet.pdf. People are strongly urged to read the entire package carefully before re-entry in order to minimize the risk of danger.
The booklet contains information on key contacts, community services, the boil water advisory, a re-entry checklist, and medical conditions that would preclude someone from returning to their home until the health centre reopens, among many other details.
