One year ago we fled...

A year ago around this time (8:30pm) my husband, stepson and dogs were making our way through downtown Fort McMurray along with thousands of others fleeing the urban centre due to a wildfire that entered the community. I got to spend today in Fort McKay, while we headed south bound, tens of thousands headed north to the hamlet and First Nation of Fort McKay as well as many industry camps. It was amazing to hear the stories of the Fort McKay fire fighters who battled the wall of traffic on both south and north highway 63 north of Fort McMurray. 

The rural communities have shown incredible strength, resilience and togetherness over the last year (not that they didn't prior, just more noticeable to me since the fire). As Fort Chipewyan sends hundreds to return the remaining two hunters to their families, I realize how lucky we are to have one another and that the community net is figuratively and literally wide. I am often moved to tears along with my co-workers who get the honour of working with the most incredible leaders and communities of Fort Fitzerald, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Draper, Saprae Creek, Fort McMurray 468, Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, Janvier/Chard and Conklin. 

At today's event, we had residents from Grayling Terrace come to the Fort McKay event to thank the fire department who led the charge to save the majority of their neighbourhood. I hope to see many more Fort McMurray dwellers do the same and thank the communities who took us in. These ten communities were there for us. Yes, Boyle, Lac La Biche and many more communities in Alberta and across Canada provided us with shelter immediately as well but it was those in closest proximity who mobilized immediately, emptying their cupboards and giving up their beds for Fort McMurray residents.