It’s the news hundreds of families have been waiting for, some evacuees from the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County can go home, Wednesday, September 3.

In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the province says it will be a phased approach:

– beginning at 9 a.m. – all roads around Trout Lake
– beginning 11 a.m. – roads around Zwickers Lake and East Lake
– beginning 1 p.m. – Highway 10; West Dalhousie Road from Highway 10 to Che-Boag-A-Nish Road; and Che-Boag-A-Nish Road (Connell Lake).

Residents are to arrive at the Crisp Road or West Dalhousie Road checkpoints with a valid piece of identification proving their civic address for re-entry.

At 4 p.m., Highway 10 will reopen to the general public.

The province says, the decision follows careful assessments by the DNR’s wildfire experts and is based on current fire behaviour, air quality and road access.

Residents returning home are advised to:
– drive with caution as fire crews may still be working in the area
– be aware of air quality advisories and limit exposure if sensitive to smoke
– check the home for damage before re-entering
– residents should remain prepared to evacuate should fire behaviour change.

The following areas remain under evacuation orders and are not yet safe for re-entry:
– the section of West Dalhousie Road from Che-Boag-A-Nish Road to Meadow Road
– all of Heartland Road, Thorne Road and Medicraft Lane
– Morse Road remains closed from Neaves Road to West Dalhousie Road.

The Department continues to monitor the wildfire situation closely and will provide updates as new information is available.

The Long Lake fire broke out August 13 and remains out of control at over 8,468 hectares.