Volunteers open homes to Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees

FORT MCMURRAY (NEWS1130) – While the flames may be moving quickly, so too are the efforts to ease some of the shock and heartbreak of those affected by the forest fire.

Many people in other communities are making efforts to soften the blow for those who may have lost everything.

Social media is one place where people are flocking to get messages out about hotels offering free rooms, and where people can find gas if their cars are running low.

Community halls are opening up, and the Guru Nanak Sikh Society Gurdwara in Edmonton says people in the congregation — and outside of it — are offering rooms in their homes or places to park campers.

“We just want to make sure that if anyone’s kind of in a gap situation, that they’re not going to be homeless for even one night, make sure that there’s space for them to stay. So, as people call in especially over the course of today, we’ll be coordinating with them,” says society volunteer Arundeep Singh Sandhu.

“We’ve got basement suites and spare bedrooms all over as well as space to park campers and such. So we’re not saying people need ot stay at the Gurdwara, but the congregation is offering up their homes.”

Sandhu has worked near Fort McMurray and has many friends who have had to evacuate.

“So it’s going to be tough. I think there’s going to be a lot of healing that’s going to need to come after this in addition to the rebuilding and I’m glad to see that we’re all willing to step up and help people right now, and I hope that we can keep up with that as these people readjust to life back in Fort McMurray after the fire.”

City News Anchor Courtney Theriault in Edmonton says the first evacuees arrived there very early this morning.

He says about 20,000 are expected to come into the city throughout the day — an evacuation centre is set up that can accommodate about 1,300.

“Northland is working in conjunciton with the Red Cross right now to provide key essentials. They’re providing a bed, cots, as well as food and beverages to ensure that the evacuees are at least taken care of. As I mentioned, 1,300 there. If there is a surplus of people, more space has been set up at the U of A should the influx go above and beyond that estimate.”

He adds there is a sense of pride among evacuees that Alberta has rallied behind Fort Mac.

“Edmonton has stepped up in terms of supplies and donations. You see an endless number of people saying that they’ve donate online, whether it’s through the 30333 number or redcross.ca, and of course Edmonton contributing to the fire relief effort up there as well. As of this morning, 18 firefighters from our city arrived in Fort McMurray along with four vehicles. That though, just a taste of the other communities that have also made similar pledges to help combat this out of control wildfire.”

You can make a donation to help evacuees through the Red Cross here in BC — go to their redcross.ca or call 1-800-418-1111.