Slave Lake residents can go home Friday

Residents of Slave Lake, Alta., who didn't lose their houses in the May 15 wildfire can go home Friday.

"This is a great step for our communities and another step on our journey of recovery," said Slave Lake Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee.

Seven thousand people were forced from their homes on May 15 after a wildfire destroyed a third of their town. Crews worked for days afterwards putting out hot spots and then trying to restore power and water.

Many residents stayed with relatives; others stayed in evacuation centres in Edmonton, Westlock and Athabasca. On Wednesday, officials announced that workers considered essential to getting the town operational could return.

Signs the town was ready for residents was evident to those who took part in a media tour Thursday afternoon.

Staff at one of the local grocery stores worked to restock shelves.Thehospitalis now ableto accept patients.

"The camaraderie and the dedication of everybody, the local people and everybody, that came from all over, was very inspiring," said Dr. Philip Immelman.

Residents must go to checkstops

The re-entry will be done in stages depending on where people live.

People who live in the Sawridge First Nation, the Municipal District of Lesser Slave Riverand the section of Slave Lake north of the CN Rail tracks will be able to return starting 8 a.m. Friday. Everyone else can go in after 1 p.m.

"Please be patient and follow the directions of emergency responders who are looking out for your safety," Pillay-Kinnee said.

Residents will need togo tocheckstops where RCMP officers will give them an information package containing phone numbers and advice on how to clean their properties.

The package also has placards people can put in the windows of their homes which will tell utility crews whether they need gas, water, electricity or telephone service.

Once the home is hooked up, the placard will be flipped to show the word "done" on the other side.

Crewswill drop kits with a garbage bin, cleaning materials, gloves and masks at each home to help with the cleanup.

Town officials areaskinganyone whose homes were destroyed to contact them as they are working on finding temporary housing.