Williams Lake, B.C. – Some encouraging news in the South Cariboo as the Cariboo Regional District has started work on a re-entry plan for evacuated residents in the 100 Mile House area.

“The plan has a number of pieces to it,” says chair Al Richmond. “We have to get the hospital open, we have to get supermarkets open and we have to check out all the infrastructure,” he tells 250News.

Al Richmond, chair of the Cariboo Regional District, fields questions during a town hall at UNBC last week- photo 250News

“So, we know the things that must be done in order to get people home, we’re doing that work. We don’t have a date you can go home because we have to find out how long it’s going to take them to get the hospital open because it’s been closed.”

Richmond adds notifying grocery store owners of a possible re-entry would be part of the plan along with checking to ensure key infrastructure is restored and safe (BC Hydro, Telus, Fortis BC).

He says the progress BC Wildfire Service crews have made on the Gustafsen fire west of town has made the planning possible.

“Yes, it’s allowed us to look at what needs to be done to get people home.”

Richmond cautions however that people shouldn’t be getting their hopes up that they’ll be going home tomorrow.

“What we’re trying to say is whereas earlier we were working on fires and evacuations – we’re still working on that – but we’re now paving the way so people can return home. I don’t want to give a date, but we’re working on it.”