A state of local emergency that was declared on May 1 when the wildfire started encroaching on the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will end Thursday at 11:59 p.m.
“When you look around our community, you can see the results of our residents’ strength and resilience,” Mayor Melissa Blake said. “Six months ago, destruction was all around us and now we see our community standing up again and working together as recovery and rebuilding continues to gain momentum.”
On May 3, close to 90,000 people were forced to leave their homes and flee the region as the wildfire crossed Highway 63 and scorched homes, businesses and public buildings.
READ MORE: ‘Like driving through Judgment Day’ – Fort McMurray wildfire evacuee
The fire evacuation from the city is being called the largest in the province’s history.
The Government of Alberta declared a provincial state of emergency on May 4.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray Wildfire: How many homes have been lost in the fire
In June, residents started returning home.
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Thursday marks a significant milestone, Wood Buffalo said in a news release. Lifting the local state of emergency, along with Phase 2A and 2B re-entries, means a return to pre-wildfire community safety levels.
On Nov. 4, residents who have homes in the communities hardest-hit by May’s wildfires were told they could return home.
READ MORE: Hundreds of Fort McMurray residents in areas hit hardest by wildfire finally allowed to go home
The province-wide state of emergency was lifted on July 1.
The local state of emergency remained in place for the sake of public safety since hazardous materials were being removed from Abasand, Beacon Hill and Waterways.
“On behalf of my council colleagues, I’d like to thank our residents for their resolve and commitment to safety and to the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee and Task Force, municipal staff and all of our partners for working to make this possible,” Blake said in a statement Thursday.
As of Nov. 9, 1,767 demolition permits and 291 rebuild permits have been issued.
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