Fort McMurray prepares for up to 15,000 returnees
'We want everybody to come back, but be mindful of everybody else,' local official says
It's expected as many as 15,000 Fort McMurray residents will return home tomorrow, as the first of 90,000 evacuees are allowed to enter the city since a massive wildfire struck almost four weeks ago.
"We've been out of the community a long time," said Bob Couture, director of emergency management for the regional emergency operation centre in Wood Buffalo. "We want everybody to come back, but be mindful of everybody else."
- Heavy police presence will greet 1st wave of returning Fort McMurray residents
- Going back to Fort McMurray? Here's what you need to know
Couture spoke to reporters at the RCMP checkpoint, eight kilometres south of Fort McMurray on Highway 63, where he expects hundreds of vehicles will begin lining up at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
"We're asking people to obey the clock," he said. "The door is open. Come home."
Those returning who live outside the zone scheduled for re-entry will not be penalized, but neither will they be able to obtain all services.
"ATCO Gas will be concentrating on turning the gas back on in the lower town site," he said. "They won't be going to other areas. People have to be cognizant of that."
"Speaking from my own perspective.… It is going to be an emotional event when we have the first cars pulling back into the community, because we can all remember when this community left on evacuation. It was pretty dramatic," he said.
"Now it's going to be a joyous event."
Couture said people returning to Fort McMurray may be pleasantly surprised.
Of the 1,600 people who returned to the town earlier to set up essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies and banks, many found their homes like they left them the day before, Couture said.
"The power wasn't out. The fridge, the freezer. Everything's good."
- Notley praises 'patient, resilient, determined' Fort McMurray residents ahead of re-entry
- Fort McMurray launches hotline for returning businesses
However, Couture asked those returning tomorrow to keep their expectations in check.
"The grocery stores have been fantastic. The shelves are stocked, but they won't have everything.
"Pharmacies are up and running, but they won't have everything. Banks are operational, but they won't have everything. Some of the coffee stores are open, but not all.
"That's why people coming back in should expect to bring 14 days of supplies, so that you have your resources, so it is not depleting what we have."
Couture wanted to assure residents the town is safe.
"We would not do this unless it was safe to do so," he said.
