(Photo: This used to be a housing complex in Abasand located across the street from Ecole Boreal School, Abasand was one of two areas toured by media on May. 9, 2016 just days after the wildfire. Bradley Karp / REPORTER)
by Crystal Laderas and Cindy White, 660 NEWS
Evacuees who return to Fort McMurray may feel as though they’re no longer in the same city.
The Canadian Red Cross is trying to prepare evacuees for the emotional journey home, with a 16-page document on how to recover from the so-called “beast” of a wildfire.
With the conditional re-entry planned for as early as June 1st, the organization is foreshadowing a physical environment that many may not recognize. It lists blackened, lifeless landscapes, burnt out buildings and vehicles, and areas covered in ash as some things that residents might find when they return.
It also describes the smell of smoke, road signs with familiar landmarks missing, spoiled food in fridges and freezers and signs painted on remaining houses. The Red Cross outlines steps for re-entering homes and cleaning up, and assessing the damage and replacing and restarting appliances.
It says many people may find themselves reliving the disaster that forced them out, and suggests they seek the help of health officials and community groups if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
In a recent interview with 660 NEWS, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Director of Emergency Management, Bob Couture, said people should ask themselves whether or not it’s healthy for them to go back.
“Give consideration to the air quality index, of what affect coming back to this community will have. If there are health restrictions or medical restrictions, respiratory issues, maybe they should give consideration to wait some time to come back to the community,” he said.
Couture says crews are working hard to get services back up and running, but those services will be limited and citizens should prepare for 14 days’ worth of basic necessities, including food and water.
“A lack of services will be in the community for groceries, etcetera. However, the healthcare services will be robust and able to support the population,” Couture said.
The re-entry plan will be spilt up into zones, with the Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, and Gregoire Lake Estates communities scheduled to go back on June 1st.
