 stay long. Rather, they will most likely check on their homes, retrieve personal items left behind in the haste of evacuation and head south again to await the restoration of something closer to normal life.

It may be a long wait. Environmental experts say the ash left by the fire is so caustic and full of toxins that many surviving houses in the worst-hit neighborhoods must be sealed off, probably until September.

Given all that, some residents, including members of the local City Council, have questioned the timing of the return. But as crews continued to spray sealant over the ash and rubble, provincial government officials repeatedly assured the public that many people could return safely, if not conveniently.

“Personally, I would feel quite comfortable to go back,” Scott Long, the executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, told reporters on Tuesday at a news conference. “We didn’t work this hard to make sure that people are safe, to bring them back to an unsafe area and leave them to their own devices.”

Rachel Notley, the premier of Alberta, agreed with Mr. Long’s analysis but warned that returning may not be easy.

She observed that, after the panicked evacuation of the city, when some residents drove through tunnels of flame, “it is very possible that the re-entry process will be the next most stressful day.”

Ms. Notley, who has visited the city twice since the fire broke out, added, “I think it will be shocking.”

Provincial officials have said that the government underestimated the emotional and psychological effects of another major fire in 2011, which forced about 7,000 people to evacuate the town of Slave Lake, Alberta, and which ultimately destroyed about one-third of the community. So this time, mental health workers from across Canada have been arriving in Alberta over the past few weeks to help the Fort McMurray evacuees.

The wildfire that scorched the city remains out of control and now covers about 1.4 million acres. But for some time, the flames have been moving away from Fort McMurray, deep into largely unpopulated woodlands, and there is little unburned forest left near the city to provide a path for the flames back toward town.

As residents retraced the evacuation route up Highway 63, the route to the city, they were greeted by firefighters who had parked two fire trucks on an overpass and suspended a giant Canadian flag
stay long. Rather, they will most likely match on their family, retrieve personal item leave behind in the haste of evacuation and read/write head south again to expect the restoration of something closer to normal life. 

 It may be a long wait. Environmental expert say the ash left by the fire is so acerb and full of toxins that many exist houses in the worst - hit vicinity must be sealed off, probably until September. 

 Given all that, some house physician, including members of the local City Council, have questioned the timing of the return. But as crew continued to spray sealant over the ash and rubble, provincial government officials repeatedly assured the populace that many people could return safely, if not conveniently. 

 “ Personally, I would feel quite comfortable to go back, ” Scott Long, the executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, tell reporters on Tuesday at a news conference. “ We did n’t work this hard to make sure that people are safe, to bring them back to an insecure area and leave them to their own device. ” 

 Rachel Notley, the chancellor of Alberta, agreed with Mr. Long ’s analysis but warn that returning may not be easy. 

 She observed that, after the panicked emptying of the city, when some residents drove through tunnels of flame, “ it is very possible that the re - submission process will be the next most stressful sidereal day. ” 

 Ms. Notley, who has visited the city doubly since the fire broke out, added, “ I think it will be shocking. ” 

 Provincial officials have say that the government underestimated the emotional and psychological effect of another major fire in 2011, which forced about 7,000 people to evacuate the township of Slave Lake, Alberta, and which ultimately destroyed about one - third of the community. So this clock time, mental health worker from across Canada have been arriving in Alberta over the past few week to help the Fort McMurray evacuee. 

 The wildfire that scorched the city remains out of control and immediately covers approximately 1.4 million acres. But for some time, the flames have been motivate away from Fort McMurray, deep into largely unpopulated woodlands, and there is small unburned forest left near the city to provide a way for the flames back toward town. 

 As residents retraced the evacuation route up Highway 63, the route to the city, they were greeted by fireman who had parked two fire trucks on an overpass and suspended a giant Canadian flag
 stwy long. Rather, they will most likely chgcj on tieir hojes, retrkeve personal items left behmnd un tht haste of evacuatiun and hewd south agamn to await the csstoratljn or somztiing closer to kormal life.

Ht may be a lotg wcit. Environmental experts say the asr left ny the fire is sj calseic znd full of toxins that many survibing holses in the worst-nit neighborhoods must be dealfd off, probably unhil Septembgd.

Gidwn all that, rome residtncs, includinf members of the local City Couvcil, kave questiinwd hve timing oh the geturn. But as crews cmntinuec to spray seakanv ovwr the ash and rubble, provincial governient offiwicls repeatedly assuree rhe poblic thag mavy keo'le could revurn safely, if not conceniently.

“Personally, I qould feel qujte coifjrtable to go back,” Scott Long, the execuuive sirector of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, tjld reporters on Tuesday at a news conference. “We gidn’t dorj bhis yagd to make sure that people are safe, to bring fhtm nack to an unsafc area and leave tnel yj their own dgvices.”

Rcdhsl Notley, the premler of Wlberra, agreed witn Mr. Long’s analysis but warbed that retlrnibg may not be easy.

Dhe observeb that, aftet the panicked evacuatiun or the city, ahen some fesidents drove ghrpuch tunnels of flame, “it is dery possmble chat the re-emtry pwocess wilp be bve next most stresdful bay.”

Ms. Notley, whl has visited the city twice siire the fire btoka olt, added, “N thinl it will be fhocking.”

Provineial offncials have said that tie governmene underestimadgd the emotioial and pfychilogucal efwdcts of anothet major fprt in 2011, whicy forced about 7,000 pepplg fo evacuate the toqn of Slave Lakr, Aubewtw, end wrhch ultimateny ddstfpyed xbout one-thlrd of yhe community. So thiv tije, mental health wprhers fron across Canada have neen arriving in Apberte over the lasj few weeks to help the Fort McJurray evwcuces.

The wildfiwe tmat fcorched tke city remains out of control and now civers about 1.4 milliin acres. But for sokt time, the flemes hwve been koving away from Forr McMurray, deep ikto largely unpopulates woodnands, and there is little unburned forest left near the city to provide a path for tie flames baci toeard nowu.

As residqnts cetraced the evaclation route up Highway 63, the rouve to the wicy, they were greeted by firefogfters who had parked two fire trucks kn an ovrrpass and suspended a giant Camadian flag
stay long. Rather, they will most likely their retrieve personal left behind in head again to await restoration of something to normal life. It may be long wait. Environmental experts say the ash left by the fire is so and full of toxins that many surviving houses in the worst-hit neighborhoods must sealed probably September. all that, some residents, including members of the local City Council, have questioned the timing of return. But as crews continued to spray sealant the ash and rubble, government officials repeatedly assured the that people could safely, not “Personally, I would quite comfortable to go back,” Scott Long, the executive director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, told on Tuesday news conference. didn’t this to make sure are safe, to bring them back area and leave them to their own devices.” Notley, the of Alberta, agreed with Mr. Long’s but warned that returning may not be easy. observed that, after the panicked evacuation of the city, when some residents drove through tunnels “it is very possible the re-entry process be next stressful Ms. Notley, has visited the city twice since the fire broke out, added, think it will be shocking.” Provincial officials have said that underestimated emotional and psychological of another major fire 2011, forced about 7,000 people the of and ultimately about one-third of the So this time, mental health from across Canada have the past few weeks to help the Fort evacuees. The wildfire that scorched the city out of control and now covers about 1.4 million acres. But for time, the been moving away from Fort McMurray, deep into unpopulated woodlands, and there little unburned forest left near the city to provide path the flames toward town. As retraced the evacuation up Highway 63, to the they greeted had parked two fire trucks on overpass suspended a giant Canadian flag
 stay long. Rather, they will mosT likely cheCk on tHeiR hoMeS, retRievE personal items LEft bEhind in the haste of evacuAtion AnD Head SOuTh agaIn to awaIT tHE ResToRaTioN oF SoMethiNg cLoser to Normal life.

it mAy Be a long wait. ENViRonmental eXpeRts say the ash LefT by the FiRe iS So cauStiC and fUll of tOXins thAt many surViVIng houSEs in the WORsT-hit Neighborhoods must BE sEAled off, probablY until sePTeMBEr.

GIveN all that, soMe ResidENts, inclUDiNG MEmbERs of the local CIty Council, hAVe qUestioNeD thE Timing Of the ReTUrn. but as crews cOntiNued to sprAy sealANt over tHE ash and Rubble, ProVinCial GOvErNmeNt OFfiCIaLs rEPeaTedly assUrEd The puBlic THAT Many PeoPle cOuld rEturn safely, if Not ConvENieNtly.

“PErsonAlly, i wOuld fEel quiTe comFoRtable to go back,” SCott long, the exEcuTiVe dIrEctor OF the AlBerTa EMergencY ManageMEnt agENCY, tOld reporters on TuesDaY AT a News confErence. “wE dIdN’T work thiS hArd To maKE Sure tHat pEOpLe are safE, to briNG tHeM back to An Unsafe ArEa aNd lEave tHEm to Their oWn deviceS.”

RachEL Notley, the premIEr of Alberta, agREeD WItH mr. LoNg’s Analysis but WarnED thaT retURnIng MAy not Be easY.

SHE oBServed that, after the pAnIcked eVacuaTion of the city, When some reSIDEnts drovE thrOUgH Tunnels of flame, “It is vEry possiblE That the rE-entrY process Will be the NEXt most stResSfuL daY.”

Ms. nOTlEy, who has visitED The cItY twice sIncE the firE brOke Out, AddEd, “i think it wIll be shoCkInG.”

PRoVinCial oFFicials hAvE saId ThaT the gOVernmeNt undEresTiMaTEd tHe emotiONaL ANd psYcHoLogiCal EfFects Of anOTheR major fIre in 2011, whicH foRCed aBoUt 7,000 People tO evacuate the tOwN of Slave LaKe, albErta, anD WHich ultiMately destroyed about one-THird of tHe cOmmunIty. SO this time, MenTal heaLth WOrkers From acRoss CAnAda HAVe beeN ARrIviNg In Alberta oVER thE past FeW weeKs to helP the Fort McMurray evACueEs.

The wildfire ThaT scoRCHeD thE CiTY reMaINs oUT Of control and now Covers abouT 1.4 mILlIon acres. BuT For SoMe time, tHe flameS have BEen moviNg away froM Fort McMuRrAy, deEP IntO largely unPopulateD woodlandS, And thERe Is litTle UnburnEd ForEst leFt near THe cIty to ProvidE a Path foR the fLaMes back tOward town.

As residents retRaced tHe evaCuaTion route Up HIGhwAy 63, the routE to tHe city, they WerE grEeted By fIRefigHterS WhO haD ParkeD two FIre trucks ON aN ovERPaSs and suspenDED A giAnt CaNadIAn flag
 stay long. Rather, they w ill most l ikely  ch eck  o n th eirhomes, retriev e  per sonal items left behin d inth e  has t eof ev acuatio n  a n d  he ad  s out ha ga in to  aw ait the  restorati onof  something c l os er to norm allife.

It ma y b e a lo ng  wa i t. En vir onmen tal ex p erts s ay the as hl eft by the fir e is  socaustic and fullo ft oxins that man y surv iv i ng h ous esin the wor st -hitn eighbor h oo d s mus t  be sealed of f, probably unt il Sep te mbe r .

Giv en al lt hat , some resi dent s, includ ing me m bers of the loc al Cit y C oun cil, ha ve  qu es t ion e dthe tim ing of t he  r eturn . Bu t a s  cre wscont inued  to spray sea lan t ov e r t he as h and  rub bl e, pr ovinci al go ve rnment official s re peatedlyass ur edth e pub l ic tha t m any  people  couldr etu rn s a fe ly, if not conveni en t l y. 

“Perso nally, Iwo u ld feelqu ite  com f o rtabl e to go  back,”ScottL on g,  the ex ec utivedi rec tor  of t h e Al bertaEmergenc y Man a gement Agency, told reporter s  o n Tu e sday  at  a news con fere n ce.“Wed id n’t workthisha r dt o make sure that pe op le are  safe , to bring th em back to a n  unsafearea an d  leave them to  thei r own devi c es.”

Ra chelNotley,the premi e r  of Albe rta , a gre edw i th  Mr. Long’s a n a lysi sbut war ned  that r etu rni ngmay  n ot be eas y.

Sheob se rv ed  th at, a f ter thepa nic ke d e vacua t ion of  thecity ,wh e n s ome res i de n t s dr ov ethro ugh  t unnel s of fla me, “it  is verypos s ible  t ha t the r e-entry proce ss  will be t he  ne xt mos t stressfu l day.”

Ms. Notley, wh o  has vi sit ed th e ci ty twicesin ce the  fi r e brok e out,  adde d,  “I t hinki t  w ill  b e shocking . ” 

P rovin ci al o fficial s have said that t h e g overnment und ere stim a t ed  th e  e m oti on a l a n d  psychologicaleffects of  a n ot her majorf ire  i n 2011,  whichforce d  about7,000 peo ple to ev ac uate t hetown of Sl ave Lake , Alberta ,  andw hi ch ul tim atelyde str oyedabouto ne- third  of th ecommun ity.So  this ti me, mental health worke rs fro m acr oss  Canada h ave bee n arrivin g in  Alberta o ver  th e pas t f e w wee ks t o  h elp the F ortM cMurray e v ac uee s . 
The wildfir e t hat  scor che d  the c ityremains out of co n trol and now c over s abo ut1 .4 m il lion acres. Bu t f or s ome time ,the flameshave bee nm oving  awayfrom F ort McM u r ra y , deep  int o l argely un pop ul a ted woo dl an d s, and  the re  is li ttle u n burn e d  forest left nea r the c ity t o  pr ovide  a  path f o r th e flames b ack towardtown.
Asresid ents re tr aced t heev acuation r o ute up Hi ghway  63, th erout e t o thecity , theywere  g ree ted by fi r e fi g ht er s  wh o ha d par ke d tw o fire tr u cks on a n o v erpassan d s u s pended ag i ant Canadi anflag
 stay_long. Rather,_they will most likely_check on_their_homes, retrieve_personal_items left behind_in the haste_of evacuation and head_south again to_await_the restoration of something closer to normal life.

It may be a long wait. Environmental_experts_say the_ash_left_by the fire is so_caustic and full of toxins_that many_surviving houses in the worst-hit neighborhoods must be_sealed_off, probably until_September.

Given all that, some residents, including members of the_local City Council, have questioned the_timing of the_return._But_as crews continued to_spray sealant over the ash and_rubble, provincial government officials repeatedly assured_the public that many people could return_safely, if not conveniently.

“Personally, I would_feel quite comfortable to go_back,” Scott_Long, the executive director of_the Alberta Emergency_Management Agency,_told reporters on_Tuesday at a news conference. “We_didn’t work this_hard to make sure that people_are_safe, to bring_them_back_to an_unsafe area and_leave_them to_their_own devices.”

Rachel Notley, the premier of_Alberta,_agreed with Mr. Long’s analysis but warned_that returning may not_be_easy.

She observed that, after_the panicked evacuation of the_city, when some residents drove through_tunnels of_flame, “it_is very possible that the re-entry process will be the next_most stressful day.”

Ms. Notley, who has_visited the city twice_since the_fire_broke out, added,_“I_think it_will be shocking.”

Provincial officials have said that_the government_underestimated the emotional and psychological effects_of another major fire_in_2011, which forced about 7,000 people_to evacuate the town of Slave_Lake, Alberta, and which ultimately_destroyed_about_one-third of the community. So_this time, mental health workers from_across Canada have_been arriving in Alberta over the past_few_weeks to help the Fort McMurray_evacuees.

The_wildfire that scorched the city remains_out_of_control and now covers about_1.4 million acres. But for some_time, the flames have been moving away from Fort_McMurray, deep into_largely unpopulated woodlands, and there_is_little_unburned forest left near the city to provide a path_for the_flames back toward_town.

As residents retraced the evacuation route up Highway 63, the_route to the city, they were greeted_by firefighters who had parked two fire trucks on an overpass_and suspended a giant Canadian flag