A voluntary phased re-entry for the safe return of Fort McMurray residents will begin June 1 if future wildfire conditions do not delay restoration efforts and all conditions for re-entry have been met.
Complete information on the Government of Alberta's re-entry program can be accessed online at http://www.alberta.ca/emergency.cfm
It includes a 31-page guide issued by the province and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It can be accessed online at http://asset.rmwb.ca/files/RMWB-Re-Entry%20Information-Booklet.pdf
The Alberta government said re-entry should be complete by June 15, coinciding with full restoration of Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
The re-entry of residents will occur by zone number to allow for efficient and safe traffic flow up Highway 63. Phased re-entry also ensures limited services are available to residents. The re-entry schedule and details for residents will be posted here when available.
Re-entry schedule
Zone 1: Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Gregoire Lake Estates (June 1)
Zone 2: Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea, Eagle Ridge, Dickensfield (June 2)
Zone 3: Thickwood, Wood Buffalo (June 3)
Zone 4(a): Gregoire, Prairie Creek, Saprae Creek Estates (June 3)
Zone 4(b): Waterways, Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, Draper (June 4)
Due to the wildfires, Alberta Health Services issued a boil water advisory for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as a precautionary measure.
The following areas supplied by the Fort McMurray Water Treatment Plant are affected: Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray International Airport, Saprae Creek, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Gregoire Lake Provincial Park.
It is important to keep in mind that if at any time any citizen feels their home or surroundings are unsafe that they should not proceed.
Please call 310-4455 for further assistance.
Citizens are urged to visit rmwb.ca regularly for boil water advisory information and other important updates.
As well, citizens should thoroughly check for hazards before entering their homes. For more information about safe re-entry into your home, refer to the returning to your home booklet from Alberta Health Services in the Re-entry Information Package.
Citizens are urged to exercise safety and caution when returning to property by wearing items such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and rubber boots. As well, wear an N-95 dust mask (disposable facemask to filter dust and other air particulates) to reduce potential smoke exposure. Masks are available at hardware stores and one mask per household will be provided in the free Canadian Red Cross cleaning kits that are available.
For more information, refer to the wildfire smoke and your health and ways to lower smoke exposure from fires sheets from Alberta Health Services that are in the Re-entry Information Package.
With limited services available, returning residents should expect some disruption and service delays. If citizens are driving back, they should consider arriving with basic necessities to last up to 14 days, including food, drinking water and prescriptions. If residents require immediate refrigeration for medication or other purposes, they may want to bring a small fridge, as existing appliances may not be usable and in need of disposal.
Refer to the tip sheet cleaning and the returning to your home booklet from Alberta Health Services in the Re-entry Information Package for detailed information on cleaning.
If residents' homes have been impacted by water damage, refer to the
preventing mold tip sheet in this booklet and the steps for mold remediation in private houses sheet included in the Re-entry Information Package.
All perishables must be disposed of in every home. All appliances must be cleaned and disinfected. For information on spoiled food removal refer to the disposing food from the home tip sheet.
Access information centres have been set up across the municipality. Cleanup kits provided by the Canadian Red Cross will be available at these locations.
Refer to the ATCO, TELUS and Shaw welcome home section for information on restoring residential services.
Contact insurance providers as soon as possible. Refer to the
Insurance information tip sheet for more information.
Review the non-governmental organizations section as many resources are available for assistance.
Compiled by Johnnie Bachusky
