The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced a timeline on Saturday afternoon for Fort McMurray and area evacuees to return to their neighbourhoods.

The voluntary, phased re-entry covering four zones is scheduled to take place as follows:

  • Zone 1: Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Gregoire Lake Estates (June 1)
  • Zone 2: Parsons Creek, Stone Creek, Timberlea, Eagle Ridge, Dickinsfield (June 2)
  • Zone 3: Thickwood, Wood Buffalo (June 3)
  • Zone 4(a): Gregoire, Prairie Creek, Saprae Creek Estates (June 3)
  • Zone 4(b): Waterways, Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, Draper (June 4)

However, according to the province, the plan is conditional – no one will be allowed to return until five conditions are met:

  • That the wildfire is no longer an imminent threat
  • Critical infrastructure is repaired and restored to a basic service level
  • Essential services are restored, including emergency services, transportation to and within the community including traffic controls, access to emergency medical care, potable water, electricity and gas, access to food, pharmaceuticals, and banks, access to mental health supports
  • Hazardous areas are secure
  • Local government is re-established

The municipality issued a news release that said the return dates are tentative, and the phased re-entry is for safety and will ensure people have access to important services.

"The RMWB will be working hard over the next days and weeks to restore services to our residents," the release stated.

"We look forward to welcoming you back and appreciate your resilience and patience."

The province had announced earlier this week that June 1 would be the tentative date for residents to begin to return to Fort McMurray. It said at the time that the date depended on wildfire conditions not impeding restoration efforts, and that remained the case on Saturday.

Returning residents may encounter service disruptions and a boil water advisory will remain in effect indefinitely. Officials recommended residents return with enough basic necessities (food, water, prescriptions) to last for a week.

More information about re-entry as well as a timeline map can be found online.

Mandatory evacuation order lifted for several oilsands camps

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped firefighters contain the massive blaze to about 504,000 hectares and evacuation orders were lifted for major oilsands operators north of Fort McMurray late Friday.

The municipality announced a mandatory evacuation order was lifted for the following oilsands areas:

  • Millennium Camp
  • Borealis Camp
  • Hudson Camp
  • Noralta Camp
  • Ruth Lake Camp
  • Suncor Base Plant (including ATT)
  • Syncrude Mildred Lake Plant

Northbound traffic on Highway 63 remains restricted to essential services only. Officials urged people working in those areas to contact their employer to make alternative travel arrangements.

About 8,000 oilsands workers in camps north of Fort McMurray were evacuated after gusting winds and high temperatures caused the fire to move rapidly toward them earlier this week.

The province said there were "trace amounts" of rain in the area on Saturday and that the weather was good for making headway in fighting the fire.

Environment Canada said further rainfall was possible Sunday.

With files from the Canadian Press