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WATCH ABOVE: Fort McMurray residents describe what it's like to return home, nearly one month after a fire tore through their community forcing the evacuation of 80,000 people.
Thousands of vehicles streamed into Fort McMurray Wednesday morning, returning the first batch of people home after a wildfire tore through the northern Alberta community nearly one month ago.
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As Fort McMurray residents passed through the newly opened roadblocks at 6 a.m. MT Wednesday, one of the first things many saw was a touching welcome back message presented by local firefighters stationed on an overpass; two trucks holding an Alberta flag and municipality flag flanking a Canadian flag and a sign of support.
Residents could be seen with tears in their eyes as they witnessed first-hand the damage caused by last month’s wildfires. The wildfire destroyed 10 per cent of the homes in the city and forced the evacuation of nearly 80,000 people.
Here’s a look at what some residents came home to.
Mike Maloney and his wife Tessa Maloney, hug as they unpack to re-enter their home after being evacuated due to wildfires, in Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Parts of Fort McMurray have been open for the public to go back home.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Devastation from the wildfire that tore through the city is seen as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Mike Maloney and his wife Tessa check over their home as they re-enter after being evacuated due to wildfires, in Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Parts of Fort McMurray have been open for the public to go back home.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
James Turingan, left, and Russell Boston survey the damage to their home as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Polo Quinones scrubs his home after returning as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
An information booklet provided by the Alberta government hangs on the door of a home as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Pilar Ramirez cleans her home after returning as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
A burned-out car and boat sit in a yard as residents look around their house as they re-enter their home after being evacuated due to wildfires, in Fort McMurray Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Parts of Fort McMurray have been opened for residents to go back to their homes.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
A police helicopter flies past a burned-out house in Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Parts of Fort McMurray have been opened residents to go back to their homes.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Adam Hussynec ,left, and Cody Burthell remove a fridge as they re-enter their home after being evacuated due to wildfires, in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Parts of Fort McMurray have been opened for residents to go back to their homes.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Firefighters and police welcome people into Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Some residents were permitted to re-enter their homes after being evacuated due to wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Firefighters and police welcome people into Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Some residents were permitted to re-enter their homes after being evacuated due to wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Bachir Kourani shows mouldy dishes from his refrigerator after returning to the city as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Roy Hann mows his lawn after returning to the city as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Dave Chalupa sits on his front step moments after returning to the city as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Roy Hann mows his lawn after returning to the city as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Russell Boston sits on the front steps of his home moments after returning as residents re-enter fire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Codie McLachlan, The Canadian Press
Fort McMurray’s Wood Buffalo neighbourhood Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Kory Siegers, Global News
A helicopter drops water near a burnt tree line in the neighbourhood of Timberlea, in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents began returning to their homes after being evacuated due to wildfires.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The devastated neighbourhood of Timberlea in Fort McMurray Alta. is shown on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents returned after being evacuated during wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
A Fort McMurray resident looks over the damage in the neighbourhood of Timberlea in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents and business people returned after being evacuated during wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
A resident of Fort McMurray looks over the damage to the neighbourhood of Timberlea in Fort McMurray. Alta., on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Residents began returning to their homes after being evacuated due to wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
The devastated neighbourhood of Timberlea in Fort McMurray, Alta. is shown on Wednesday June 1, 2016.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Resident Kenny Gibbons looks through his demolished backyard in the neighbourhood of Timberlea, in Fort McMurray, Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents began returning to their homes after being evacuated due to wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Resident Kenny Gibbons looks through his demolished backyard in the neighbourhood of Timberlea, in Fort McMurray, Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents began returning to their homes after being evacuated due to wildfires.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Gover Bumatay cleans up his place of employment in Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents and business people returned after being evacuated during wildfires,.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
Gover Bumatay cleans up his place of employment in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday June 1, 2016. Residents and business people returned after being evacuated during wildfires,.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press