Some Wood Buffalo Property owners will receive demolition orders from the municipality in order to try and hasten the recovery process and make the entire community safe and secure once again. Property owners who had a home or other structure destroyed by the recent wildfire will be issued a demolition order if they have not already applied for a demolition permit. The municipality has given property owners until September 30, 2016 to clear their property of any debris, rubble, ash, and contaminated soil. Property owners have until October 31, 2016 to either remove or cover any foundation on the property. According to a press briefing by Chief Legislative Officer David LeFlar “Residents have been applying for demolition permits on their own, but it’s not exactly a rush of people coming in. So clearly for the good of the community we need to get this moving along.”

Regional Emergency Operation Centre chief of planning Erin O’Neill is advising Wood Buffalo property owners not to ignore a demolition order, saying “If anyone knows they won’t be able to meet the deadline we’re encouraging them to contact PULSE.” Any property owner who does not meet the deadlines set by the municipality could have the demolition taken care of by the municipality, with the cost added to the property tax rolls for the owner. LeFlar stated that the municipality does not want to do this, they would rather work with property owners to get the job done. According to Coun. Germaine “Emotionally when people see the ashes they think back to the actual event. So if we can get this symbolic cleanup of the ashes it helps us as people to move forward.”