Boil water advisory lifted for Fort McMurray's Lower Townsite area

A boil water advisory has been lifted for the Lower Townsite area of Fort McMurray, but remains in effect for all other areas of the city.

The advisory was lifted for the Lower Townsite area on Saturday after Alberta Health Services confirmed water quality had been restored to a safe level.

• Going back to Fort McMurray? Here's what you need to know
• Fort McMurray business owners call for financial help in face of uncertain future
• Military veterans to help search through ashes of Fort McMurray's burned homes

The Lower Townsite includes the area north of the Hangingstone River, west of the Clearwater River, east of Memorial Drive to the Confederation Bridge, and MacDonald Island.

Water users in this area should still follow proper flushing procedures in the Boil Water Advisory Information for Fort McMurray Residents on the AHS website.

The boil water advisory remains in effect for all other areas of Fort McMurray, and precautions outlined in the document should still be followed. This includes flushing water systems before drawing water to boil.

The boil water advisory will continue to be lifted across the city in stages, AHS said in a media release on Saturday.

Faith Brawley manages the Best Canadian Motor Inn in the Lower Townsite area.

Brawley said the lifting of the boil water advisory is a small return to normalcy and another steptowards resuming full service.

We're going through so much water. You don't realize how much water you use until you can't use it," Brawley said.

"We're now going to be able to serve breakfast and the guests are gonnalove that."

Fire ban remains in effect

A fire ban remains in effect for parts of northeastern Alberta and the forested areas of Fort McMurray.

This includes Alberta's Forest Protection Area in the Fort McMurray Forest Area and portions of forested areas in Lac la Biche, as well as all counties, municipal districts and special areas, provincial parks and recreation areas nearby.

Open fires like wood campfires, charcoal briquette fires, turkey fryers and tiki torches are prohibited at this time.

Off-highway vehicles are restricted on all public land and provincial parks within certain areas of northeastern Alberta, including off-highway vehicle trails.