Four Fort McMurray schools located in the worst wildfire damage areas may have a delayed opening when school starts back up again this fall. The schools which were hardest hit by the natural disaster include the Beacon Hill public school, Father Beauregard and Good Shepherd Catholic schools, and the Ecole Boreàl francophone school. All of these schools are located in either Beacon Hill or Abasand, and these areas are still restricted because of toxins as well as extensive damage and other safety risks. Residents whose homes are still standing in these neighbourhoods are still not allowed to return yet because it is not safe. Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord superintendent Henri Lemire asked “If we can’t even go there as a family, how can we go there as a school?”

Even Fort McMurray schools which are structurally sound and located outside of the restricted areas need a lot of work before they can be used and are safe for students and teachers. Few expect a delayed opening as a result though. Almost every school in the area has contractors who are doing necessary toxin clean up and air scrubbing. Some of the schools in the area have not even been professionally assessed to determine the full extent of any damage and contamination so it is not possible to determine the extent of the work that still needs to be done yet. There is a possibility for a delayed opening with some Fort McMurray schools but others should be able to open their doors and welcome staff and students on time.