As of 4:59 p.m. Thursday, May 25th Sturgeon the Lake Cree Nation is beginning a phased re-entry for residents to return home.
The re-entry will be done in four phases, with a corresponding area for each phase. Those who live in the first area, which is the southwest corner near Williamson Provincial Park, are allowed to re-enter as of the 25th. Areas two and three are expected to be allowed to return home as of May 26th and 27th. Area four which is the northeast part of the evacuation zone, near Youngs Point Provincial Park, is expected to re-enter on May 28th.
According to the Alberta Emergency Alert, “Basic services such as gas, water, and electricity will not be available prior to the dates outlined in each phase.”
Residents are being advised to not return home until their planned re-entry date.
As of 3 p.m. Thursday, both fires which make up the Sturgeon Lake Complex were classified as being held, measuring approximately 5,752 and 3,869 hectares in size.