May 30, 2016 by Steve Wilson
EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says up to 2,000 evacuees expecting to move back to their homes in fire-damaged Fort McMurray this week will not be able to do so until possibly September.
She says more than 500 homes and about a dozen apartment complexes that escaped a wildfire earlier this month in three otherwise heavily damaged neighbourhoods are not safe to be lived in yet.
She says that conclusion was reached with health experts following tests on air, soil, ash and water.
BREAKING: Some 500 Fort McMurray homes, undamaged by fire, are not yet safe for reentry #ymmfire #ymm https://t.co/jBLLgnF1V5
— Global Edmonton (@GlobalEdmonton) May 30, 2016
“Unfortunately, I have to report today that the outcome of these tests indicates that undamaged homes in certain neighbourhoods are not immediately safe for reoccupation,” Notley said Monday.
“More than 500 homes that were not damaged by fire have been determined to be unsafe for habitation at this time.”
.@RachelNotley announces that undamaged homes in hvily damaged areas (Beacon Hill, Abasand, Waterways) are not currently habitable/safe #ymm
— rmwoodbuffalo (@RMWoodBuffalo) May 30, 2016
500 homes not damaged by fire but standing are uninhabitable and people should not return #ymm #ymmfire
— Breanna Karstens-Smith (@Breanna_KS) May 30, 2016
The premier says it’s not safe to return until toxic ash and debris surrounding the homes have been removed. Residents will need to stay elsewhere until it is safe to go back.
“It means that people who live in those neighbourhoods should not plan to return permanently on June 4 as originally planned.”
Arrangement will be made for people from the affected homes to make a one-time visit.
Notley says the roughly 2,000 people who are affected by this will not be allowed be home for likely the summer. #ymmfire #ymm
— Lucas Meyer (@meyer_lucas) May 30, 2016
Today on @ctvedmonton #ymmfire re-entry update from @RachelNotley & other provincial officials. pic.twitter.com/OarIPWwHsh
— John Hanson (@john_s_hanson) May 30, 2016
Homes in certain neighbourhoods are not immediately safe for re-occupation. Further remediation & cleanup is needed to make them safe #ymm
— Danielle Larivee (@DanielleLarivee) May 30, 2016
#ymm residents who live in Zone 4b should not plan to return permanently on June 4. These are homes in Abasand, Waterways & Beacon Hill
— Danielle Larivee (@DanielleLarivee) May 30, 2016
“While these homes are not safe to live in until further remediation and cleanup of the neighbourhoods is complete, we believe it will be possible to arrange for these residents to temporarily return to inspect their residences and retrieve their belongings.”
7,500 to 8,000 people were already displaced from damaged or destroyed homes in neighbourhoods. Additional 1,500 to 2,000 affected #ymmfire
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) May 30, 2016
"I can assure you there's very little left" Scott Long says about people wanting to sift through ash. People will be escorted in #ymmfire
— Breanna Karstens-Smith (@Breanna_KS) May 30, 2016
Grayling Terrace and Draper are safe for people to live even though other areas in 4b are not #ymmfire #ymm pic.twitter.com/9AsPYxlH4x
— Breanna Karstens-Smith (@Breanna_KS) May 30, 2016
Tests show that ash contains chemicals incl arsenic. Areas destroyed have been sprayed to prevent ash from blowing through air.#cbc.
— Briar Stewart (@briarstewart) May 30, 2016
The Red Cross also announced Monday that it is releasing another $20 million from donations to everyone able to move back safely at this time.
Returnees are to receive $300 for the first person in a household and $50 for each additional person. The electronic transfer of cash is intended to help with immediate expenses such as buying cleaning supplies and replacing rotten food.
Notley says they're encouraging people to bring up as much as they can. May be rationing at grocery stores #ymmfire #ymm #rmwb
— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) May 30, 2016
Cleaning at hospital complete. Basic services offered June 1 but not fully operational #ymmfire
— Laurel Gregory (@LGregoryGlobal) May 30, 2016
Dr.Karen Grimsrud,prov. medical officer,says #ymm hospital reopening on track.ER open June 1. @ctvedmonton #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/PLe5NEM6Po
— John Hanson (@john_s_hanson) May 30, 2016
More than $100 million has been donated to the Fort McMurray relief effort. Tuesday is the last day for individual donations to be matched by the federal and Alberta governments.
A provincial state of emergency that has been in effect in the Wood Buffalo municipality since shortly after the fire whipped through the city is to be extended until the end of June to make cleanup and return of residents easier, Notley said.
The fire is still burning and covers about 5,800 square kilometres, although it is not expected to grow significantly in coming days due to cooler and wetter weather conditions.
#ymmfire just drove through, no smoke, air isn't bad but pls do not Rush.devastation is unreal bring water and food pic.twitter.com/ehvHRPfiYZ
— ♍️ TrueLife♍️ (@peteyjulz) May 30, 2016
#ymmfire total loss. This is what I get to come "home" too pic.twitter.com/QqDSBflQMU
— David (@DavidmGoodwin1) May 24, 2016
Have your say: