Fort McMurray uses colour-coded wristbands to protect vacant homes

Residents of the three Fort McMurray neighbourhoods hit hardest by last month's wildfire will be issued coloured wristbands in an effort to secure their homes against trespassers and thieves.

The new rules are in response tocomplaints from homeowners that their vacant homes were largely unprotected.

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The neighbourhoods of Abasand, Beacon Hill and Waterways are restricted due to the toxic conditions leftby the wildfire which forced 80,000 residents from their homes.

Even though some of the homes in those neighbourhoods escaped damage, residents are barred from returning.

The Regional Emergency Operations Centre says the new rules require individuals entering any restricted area to provide RCMP with government-issued photo identification showing they live in the area.

Everyone entering a restricted area isrequired to checkout when they leave.

Residents will be provided a colour-coded wristbandforfuture visits.

Each neighbourhood will have a separate colour: orange for Abasand;blue for Beacon Hill; and white for Waterways.

Access to restricted areas is limited to residents, insurance adjusters, contractors, visitors with letters of permission, and persons in the company of a resident.

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Access is limited to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Non-residents accessing restricted areas must also have a wristband or colour-coded ID tag.

Municipal employees will have a municipalIDtag with a red or blue outline;contractors a green wristband;insurance adjustors a grey wristband; and security guards will wear anidentifying badge.