Fort McMurray Wildfire: What You Can Do

As I’m sure you’re aware, Fort McMurray has been devastated by a wildfire that burned through parts of the town yesterday and is threatening the town again today. Over 88,000 people were under an evacuation order, and I just saw that everyone (including emergency operations and news crews) are being ordered out.

For a glimpse into the devastation, take a look at the #ymmfire hashtag on twitter, or any major Canadian news outlet’s website.

If you’re not aware, our very own Dave Gordon was born and raised in Fort Mac, and had this to say last night:

My family home in Fort Mac is likely to be gone, as well as much of the beautiful city I grew up in. I’m a wreck. I know my city well….

— Dave Gordon (@RustyKnuckler) May 4, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

We’ll rebuild, and I promise I’ll be back up there to help. In the meantime please keep Fort McMurray in your thoughts.

— Dave Gordon (@RustyKnuckler) May 4, 2016

Ways You Can Help

The Red Cross has set up a donation page where you can give directly to the Alberta Fires Appeal. You can also donate by texting redcross to 30333
If you’re looking for a family member, call the Red Cross at 1-888-350-6070 or the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo at 780-762-3636, and you will be put in contact with someone who can help
If you have space in your home or on your property to take in evacuees, YMMFire has been set up to assist in that process. There is also a list of Edmonton hotels that have vacancies tonight and through the weekend.
The Edmonton Food Bank is collecting non-perishable food items, which can be dropped off at any grocery store or fire station. You can also donate money to the food bank here.
CBC has put together a fairly comprehensive information list regarding monetary donations, volunteer opportunities and donations of specific goods.
Of note is Edmonton Emergency Relief Services. They are collecting diapers, baby wipes, NEW toiletries (such as soap, shampoo, tampons, toothpaste etc.) and NEW socks and underwear.
Donations can be taken to the EERS offices (10255 104th Street), where supplies will be distributed where they are most needed.
If you’d like to volunteer with EERS, please call 780-428-4422 and leave a message. They’ll get back to you ASAP.
The Pint (both Edmonton locations) is giving free meals to evacuees with proof of a Ft Mac address. Details here.

The Edmonton Journal has also put together a list of agencies offering (and needing) support at this time. It’s sure to be updated regularly.

The Last Word

It’s so easy at a time like this to let politics get in the way of relief efforts. It’s been a hard year all around in Alberta, and Fort McMurray was most certainly not immune to those challenges. I’ve seen all manner of vitriol directed at oil sands production, implying that this is karmic retribution for the environmental impact that the oil and gas industry has had on the landscape.

It’s not.

Wildfires are natural, normal occurrences, and they need to happen in order for ecosystems to continue to thrive. What’s happening in Ft Mac and the surrounding area is nothing but a bunch of bad luck – a dry winter and spring, way above average temperatures, below average humidity and high winds all contributed to this disaster. And regardless of your politics, it’s prudent to remember that Fort McMurray isn’t just a town of oil and gas workers – there are families who live there, too. And any place that has families has schools, hospitals, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, swimming pools, museums – all the amenities any thriving community has. The people evacuated from Fort McMurray are not just industry workers – they are all of us, and they need our help.