Residents around Fort McMurray is slower than expected

The return rate of the residents evacuated to the Canadian city of Fort McMurray, devastated by forest fires, accelerated on Thursday, but still below expectations.

Local authorities were ready to get back on Thursday 40,000, more than double the previous day, but believe that the goal will not be achieved.

"Based on the traffic flow (...) we expect about 20,000 people to return voluntarily to the community today," said Scott Long, director of the Emergency Management Agency Alberta, in a press conference.

The return of residents began on Wednesday, with about 8,000 people back to their homes, removing the curtains and throwing away food that has spoiled in refrigerators after a pristine month.

"I am pleased to report that the voluntary phase of return of residents went smoothly yesterday," said Long.

The director added, however, that only half of those entitled had returned.

The fire, which on May 3 caused the evacuation of nearly 100,000 people of Fort McMurray and surrounding towns, is still out of control, but moved to non-inhabited areas and has stabilized at 580,000 hectares.