The people who live in Waterways whose homes are still standing will be allowed to return home permanently for the first time since the wildfire on Monday.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Karen Grimsrud, has updated her recommendation for the community because of “substantial completion of demolition and the presence of multiple risk mitigation measures to protect returning Waterways residents.”
This re-entry in Waterways taking place on Monday, October 24 and involving 31 standing homes and two commercial structures, is being considered Phase 2A of the secondary re-entry.
“My recommendations to enable residents to re-enter and re-occupy some areas of Waterways were made after a thorough review of the municipality’s Phase 2A re-entry plan,” said Dr, Karen Grimsrud, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta. “The municipality has worked to develop a comprehensive plan to protect the safety and well-being of those residents returning to their homes in Waterways. I would like to remind residents to keep health top of mind for themselves, their families, and their neighbours as your community moves forward with rebuilding.”
An Information Centre will be open at the Royal Canadian Legion on Huggard Street in Waterways, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 24.
The remaining standing homes in Abasand and Beacon Hill will be able to re-enter, following the completion of demolition in those communities, as part of Phase 2B. The date for that re-entry is not yet available as it is reliant on the completion of all debris removal.
Returning residents in Waterways are encouraged to contact their natural gas retailer as soon as possible to have heating service restored. When temperatures dip below zero, there could be freezing of water pipes at their property, which can cause damage through the winter months. Heating standing homes helps to prevent against this kind of damage.
“On behalf of the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee, I’d like to share our gratitude to our returning Waterways residents for their continued patience and resilience,” said Jeanette Bancarz, Chair of the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee. “Alongside the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, we are very happy to welcome you home. We continue to work hard on behalf of all Wood Buffalo residents, especially those who have yet to be able to return home in Beacon Hill and Abasand.”
Re-entry allowed in Waterways because all debris removed
The RMWB said many homes in Waterways were modular homes, resulting in a lower volume of ash and debris to be cleared. The average clean-up time for properties in Waterways ranged from one to two days, aided by the fact that many modular homes are placed on above-ground concrete pads or pilings.
At this time, the three properties that were front facing, rear facing or that shared a property line with residents that are proposed for re-entry in Phase 2A have started the clean-up process and are anticipated to be complete prior to re-entry (in some instances foundations may remain in place). The risk mitigation measures that are in place in Waterways will ensure the safety of residents should demolition not be completed by re-entry.
For more information about the scheduled re-entry, visit www.rmwb.ca/ABW.
