Alberta Forest Fires: Support here!

Alberta Canada is in a provincial state of emergency. The massive catastrophe is the largest wildfire in the province’s history and has a mandatory evacuation where upwards of 88,000 people. The following communities are under an evacuation order:

• Fort McMurray
• Mackenzie County: Rural residents south of High Level
•  Anzac
• Gregoire Lake Estates
• Fort McMurray First Nation

Oil sands facilities are not directly in the path of the fire but many oil and gas workers in the region will be displaced from their homes and are forced to leave.

Oil and gas companies in the region are taking every safety precaution and shutting down operations and evacuating.  Approximately 10,000 people are in Fort McMurray and oil and gas camps in the Fort McMurray area are affected. Oil and gas facilities in the area are involved in shut-in procedures. For specifics on oil and gas company shut-ins click here for the Reuters report.

• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• 511 Road Reports for highway conditions
• 310-4455 Alberta government info line
• wildfire.alberta.ca

Under no circumstance should residents attempt to return home as areas are not safe to enter.

Emergencies of this magnitude require a calm and collected approach where people are evacuated with safety as the paramount priority.  Community support is essential and each person’s contribution will make the difference.

The response has been wholehearted and strong from thousands of people and organizations.  This is what’s needed for a wildfire of this magnitude. However, the fire is still actively burning with the significant loss of over 1,600 structures being lost in Fort McMurray. The fire situation is exacerbated by the temperature and wind conditions and rapidly changing fire behaviour, making it difficult for the over 250 firefighters working on this fire.  Complimenting this is air space firefighters utilizing helicopters and aircraft to support fire suppression efforts.

SUPPORT

Responders are working relentlessly to try and get the fire under control.  With over a thousand homes and business impacted by the Alberta forest fires we can all work toward assisting in this catastrophe. The Government of Alberta is matching all donations made to the Canadian Red Cross.  People will need support in lodging, food, finance and eventually rebuilding. Here’s the link so that you can make a difference and donate!

RED CROSS SUPPORT

Do what you can to support the people of this region.  Canadian Red Cross is the preferred and official support organization that will allocate funds and resources as needed.

#ymmfire