The District of 100 Mile House and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) have begun evaluating the possibility for residents of 100 Mile House and the surrounding area to return home, according to a statement just released by the CRD.

Before residents can return, however, the districts will have to complete a comprehensive assessment on infrastructure and utilities in the area, including water, sewer, roads, hydro, natural gas and telephone services.

Anything found not functioning properly will be identified and repaired.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just a plan on how we bring people back into the community,鈥� says 100 Mile House Mayor, Mitch Campsall. 鈥淲e want to be ready when it is safe to do so and when that time comes we will implement the plan, but we want to make sure the plan is all ready to go and there is no hassle when we can do it.鈥�

The district will also need to re-establish access to emergency healthcare services, food services, waste management and the security of nearby areas who may remain on evacuation orders.

Both the District of 100 Mile House and the CRD will work with organizations to establish a time frame, staffing needs and service level expectations for returning residents.

鈥淚t is not possible to determine when residents can return until the comprehensive assessment and re-servicing plan has been established,鈥� says the release.

鈥淔urther, re-entry is dependent on fire activity in the surrounding area that remains active as resident safety is paramount.鈥�

Residents are encouraged to follow the CRD Emergency Operation Centre鈥檚 , or for more information, as well as the District of 100 Mile House鈥檚 .

An earlier release put out by the district said that, at a minimum, 100 Mile House must re-establish essential hospital services and essential gas, grocery, and retail services; confirm that all utility services are operational, and co-ordinate incoming residents traffic control before bringing families back into 100 Mile House.

鈥淭hey are having great success on the fire with what they are telling us and that鈥檚 the good news,鈥� says Campsall.

鈥淲e want to make sure that the plan is ready so we can implement it right away if we have to.鈥�