After nearly four weeks of evacuations, the first step for re-entry is on its way for Hay River as essential service workers will be permitted access to the community as of 9:00 am Wednesday, September 13.
According to the Town of Hay River, containment efforts by fire crews have reduced the risk for the community to an “acceptable limit” to activate the first phase of the Hay River Community Re-entry Plan.
“The amazing work of all the fire crews and support people have allowed Hay River to stand under the most dire conditions,” Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson says.
Essential organizations have been identified and contacted by officials to be included on the town’s re-entry list. The Town says if essential workers and their immediate family members are not on the list, they will not be permitted to re-enter the community.
Workers returning under Phase 1 of the re-entry will be arriving under an Evacuation Alert, as there is still an active fire in the area.
The Town of Hay River has also addressed the timeline for Phase 2, which will see the return of the General Public after essential services complete their preparations.
According to the current re-entry plan, it is estimated essential services will need four days before the general public returns, meaning residents could see a return home as early as Sunday, September 17.
Council is scheduled to meet on Friday to assess if the risk level is appropriate to allow non-essential residents into town. Flights home will not be booked until re-entry dates for the public are confirmed.
