Wow. Not quite three years removed from Alberta’s last natural disaster, our own 2013 flood and accompanying state of emergency in Canmore, Fort McMurray has gone up in flames.
Much like the Bow Valley in 2013, where rain turned to torrential downpours, then to massive flooding in a short period of time, Fort McMurray’s situation quickly escalated from a wildfire burning near the oil town to complete evacuation – the largest in Alberta’s history – as some 70,000 citizens left their homes and livelihoods for an uncertain future.
In these parts, citizens who lived through the flood should certainly be able to empathize with our northerly neighbours.
Unlike the flood in our valley, though, where so many citizens, along with municipal staff, first responders and the business community, turned out to lend a hand to friends and neighbours who battled the elements, Fort Mac residents have been ordered, en masse, to leave.
In the meantime, area firefighters have been left with the task of trying to tame an untamable fire and limit damage. As well, 300 RCMP members have now been deployed to assist as firefighters from other regions continue to make their way to the disaster.
Watching footage from the fire, one is struck by similarities to many disaster movies Hollywood has churned out over the years
Like the 2013 flood, we’re simply not used to seeing devastation on the scale we’re witnessing once again. Service stations exploding, motels and restaurants gutted – the scene is almost incomprehensible – and viewing Fort Mac residents trying to head south on the lone highway available, the dangerous Highway 63, reminds one of evacuations on TV broadcasts from war-torn regions of the globe.
With thousands on the roads at any given time, with a fuel tanker dispatched to fuel up those who ran out of gas, with rationing to 40 litres for people trying to leave, the situation has been dire for some time.
On the bright side, though, much like when the flood struck here, it’s impressive to see how many people are lending a hand. Displaced Fort Mac residents have made their way to oilfield work camps, where beds and meals have been offered, and thousands more have poured into Lac La Biche to the south, where a curling rink, gymnasiums, community centres and citizens are already welcoming them.
Much like our flood, and the Slave Lake fire of several years ago, it will no doubt take years to overcome the current devastation, however. And, just like assistance and goods poured into our valley after the flood, we encourage our residents to send cash or whatever would help, northward.
Off-leash fines
We’re going to give a nod to conservation officers and our court system for throwing big fines at a woman who clearly thinks herself above the petty bylaws most of us live with.
Another $1,000 fine was recently levied against a woman whose dog was off-leash in K-Country. The fine followed others of $115 and $650 – which leaves us wondering what it would take for this person to keep her dogs leashed.
Would a $5,000 fine be enough? $10,000? A bear attacking?
With off-leash dogs an ongoing problem in our valley, we believe more vigorous enforcement is clearly necessary.
