Seeing reports of the wildfire evacuations in British Columbia has brought back stressful memories for residents of Fort McMurray, Alta., who had to flee a massive wildfire just over a year ago.
But they've sprung into action by collecting donations of supplies for first responders, driving those supplies to B.C., and offering advice and guidance for evacuees through a Facebook page.
"Last year, everybody throughout our whole country was awesome and the support we had was very emotional for everybody. It meant so much," said Stephanie Klaamas, a Fort McMurray resident who helped organize a trailer-load of relief supplies that left for B.C. on Sunday morning.
"We want to be able to help as much as we can. And being through it, we know exactly what's needed."
Garrett Shaw, who lost his house in the Fort McMurray fire and now lives in Grande Prairie, Alta., also collected a load of supplies and drove them to B.C. on Saturday.
"There is no stage large enough for Fort McMurray to stand on, and our gratitude to be heard, for the kindness and generosity we received last year during the fire," Shaw said Sunday afternoon from just outside Kamloops, B.C. "Any stress that we might be feeling is overcome by the excitement that we have that we're able to return the favour — that we're the people running towards the fire this time instead of away from it."
The supplies they've collected include water, snacks and toiletries to help people who are fighting the fires. The organizers said they've made arrangements with officials or other volunteers in B.C. to receive them. She said the efforts began with a message to a Facebook page that was established last year to help Fort McMurray residents. It was from a woman in 100 Mile House, B.C., with animals who wasn't sure what to do.
Klaamas said the page wasn't particularly active anymore. Nevertheless, the woman received hundreds of responses and Klaamas started a new Facebook page for Fort McMurray residents to help B.C. evacuees. There's advice on contacting insurance companies and taking pictures or video of your home's contents. If you have time, people have posted, empty your refrigerator before you leave.
Klaamas said the response in Fort McMurray for donations has been so large that other trailers are being loaded with supplies for evacuees, such as clothes and diapers. Some of those donations are being received and distributed by volunteers with a group called The Postmen, which got its start during the Fort McMurray fire by helping people who became stranded during the evacuation.
Jessica Cressey, a Postmen volunteer in Kamloops, has been accepting and sorting donations in her yard and carport. Other volunteers help connect the donations with people who need them.
"Once they become involved, they become a Postman as well," Cressey said.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her province understands all too well the toll wildfires can take and is also sending help to those battling the blazes in British Columbia.
Alberta has sent about 100 firefighters to B.C. to fight the flames along with another 60 people with experience in co−ordinating firefighting efforts. More than 230 wildfires in the province have forced 10,000 people out of their homes.
Notley says Alberta officials will stay in touch with neighbouring B.C. and will continue to help in any way they can.
"We’re all part of the same country and we know ourselves that this can be very, very trying times and we have a lot of expertise here in Alberta," Notley said following her pancake breakfast at the Calgary Stampede Monday. "We’re going to make sure that we remain in touch and respond to the concerns that they have going forward because we know it’s tough."
Saskatchewan is also sending help to B.C. including two tankers, three aircraft, and 36 firefighters. Premier Brad Wall says the province is returning the favour from two years ago when La Ronge in the province’s north was faced with heavy wildfires.
"You remember a few years ago in this province where we had a major evacuation of La Ronge, we had help from everywhere," he says. "We had help from Montana, from Colorado, from other provinces."
But he says the federal government could also get on board.
"I’m not sure we shouldn’t, as a country, have some sort of a national resource to call upon."
− with files from CJWW
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