It could be September before some residents in Fort McMurray, Canada can return to their fire-damaged town.
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Meanwhile, Suncor Energy Inc.’s facilities north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, are expected to partially restart by the end of the week, the company said on Sunday, the latest sign Canadian oil sands producers are coming back online after a massive wildfire.
Premier Rachel Notley says the exception will be the neighbourhoods of Abasand, Beacon Hill and Waterways, where homes have been deemed unsafe for human habitation.
Nearly 2,300 firefighters are battling 14 active wildfires in Alberta. To get breaking news alerts, download the free News 2 App for iPhone or Android.
The premier says it’s not safe to return until toxic ash and debris have been removed. “Please do not return until the designated date for your neighbourhood”.
The good news, Notley said, is that officials are working to find a way to allow those residents to briefly return home to “inspect their residences and retrieve belongings”.
Malano said it’s been a struggle to feed her family with the money they’ve received through aid, and she doesn’t have any insurance.
Tests of air, soil and ash in these neighbourhoods revealed the presence of chemicals “that are a risk to residents exposed to them”, she said. Residents of three neighborhoods won’t be able to return because of environmental concerns. “That’s going to affect his decision to go out because he’s going to have to find a place to live for seven days or fly home”, he said. Tuesday is the last day to donate to the Red Cross, with the total being matched by the federal and Alberta governments.
“To residents choosing to return this week, I ask you to not go home without a plan”. Since that time, more than $112 million has been donated to the Canadian Red Cross to help those displaced from the wildfire.
The first wave of residents is being allowed back starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday to the least-damaged areas, including downtown Fort McMurray, Anzac, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation and Gregoire Lake Estates.
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The wildfire continues to burn eastward and is estimated to cover about 5,800 square kilometres, Notley said.
