Almost two months after a massive wildfire tore through the northern Alberta community of Fort McMurray, the Alberta government said it was lifting its provincial state of emergency which was put in place as a result of the disaster.
On Thursday, the province said its state of emergency would be lifted at midnight on June 30. However, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is initiating its own local state of emergency, effective July 1.
“While Fort McMurray is still on the path toward recovery, our government is encouraged by the significant progress the community has made to date,” Minister of Municipal Affairs Danielle Larivee said in a statement Thursday. “We are confident that a Provincial State of Emergency is no longer required in order for the municipality to continue this important work. Alberta will continue to stand with the people of Fort McMurray as they rebuild their homes and community.”
WATCH: Provincial state of emergency declared in Alberta
The provincial state of emergency was declared on May 4, only the second time government has done so in Alberta’s history. The only other time a provincial state of emergency was declared was during the southern Alberta floods in 2013.
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The province declared a state of emergency to effectively take centralize control during the crisis and to more efficiently execute emergency plans, including the evacuation of approximately 80,000 people.
“Our message to all Albertans is that the government is behind the people of Fort McMurray and that for Albertans who wish to help, the first thing they should do is contact the Red Cross and offer donations, and additional opportunities for people to support the people of Fort McMurray will come forward,” premier Rachel Notley said in an interview with Global News at the time.
According to Wood Buffalo officials, the local state of emergency is being declared so the municipality can maintain the “necessary powers to address the wildfire.” It also allows the Regional Emergency Operations Centre to continue functioning until the municipality’s recovery committee is fully operational.
On Thursday, a boil water advisory had been lifted for the neighbourhoods of Gregoire, Mackenzie Park, Prairie Creek Residential, Saline Creek, Saline Plateau, Airport Lands, Saprae Creek Estates, and Spruce Valley. Estates.
READ MORE: Boil water advisory lifted for more areas of Fort McMurray after wildfire
Alberta Health Services said it was able to lift the boil water order for those areas because water quality had been restored to safe levels.
The boil water advisory had previously already been lifted for the Lower Townsite area, Grayling Terrace, Thickwood, Wood Buffalo, Dickinsfield, Timberlea, Stone Creek and Parsons Creek North.
A boil water advisory remains in place for the following areas:
- Abasand
- Beacon Hill
- Waterways
- Gregoire Lake Provincial Park
- Gregoire Lake Estates
- Anzac Truckfill
Where the boil water advisory has been lifted, residents are being asked to still flush, clean and sanitize their water systems. More background on the boil water advisories in the Fort McMurray area can be found online.
If you are unsure whether your neighbourhood is under a boil water advisory, you can visit AHS’ boil water advisory map online.
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