For those leaving Fort Mac

[leftimatic]

I have been glued to the news these last few days watching the goings ons with the wildfire up in Fort McMurray Alberta.

The video footage is frightening to say the least. 88000 people evacuated and the numbers rising. Simply tragic and to everyone fleeing that mayhem my heart and my family's hearts go out to you. Stay safe.

[leftimatic]

Hope this link works.

https://youtu.be/aC2iPvXAggM

[jat]

I know what you mean. Coming from a country that is routinely ravaged by bush fires, that fire in Alberta looks a monster. I've heard lots of reports about property being lost but little about lives being lost, just hoping everybody gets out the way and stays safe. No house or car is worth losing a life.

[dvickery]

So far no casualties ... Nobody hurt no loss of life .

Derrek

[Mercurios]

The events are devastating, to say the least. The only two casualties reported were of an auto collision during an evacuation that took lives of two passengers of an SUV, as it collided with a tractor trailer.

I have a friend from university who lives in Form Mac. I haven't talked to him in a while but sometimes check out his facebook page to see what he is up to. His posts within the last 10 days are unbelievable: April 26 - Him and his girlfriend are in Cuba smoking cigars, May 3 - they are packing for evac, hoping to return to a house.

[PigFish]

Hold fast my friends and take care. -Ray

[TheFullMontecristo]

Made a donation to the Red Cross at an lcbo yesterday in support of the relief effort. Gov't of Canada are matching every donation made. Stay strong...the whole country is behind you.

[Bulldog4]

This is crazy and the slow response by the government amazes me. As much as people dislike tar sands oil fields this province alone and the tarsands have helped prop up Canada's economy over the last 6years or so especially when things were falling about worldwide during that time.

[dvickery]

Just to let you know ... It hasn't been called " tar sands " since the 1970's. .. Not officially anyway .

Sounds cleaner to call it " oil sands " or " bitumen " .

Derrek

[Bulldog4]

Just to let you know ... It hasn't been called " tar sands " since the 1970's. .. Not officially anyway .

Sounds cleaner to call it " oil sands " or " bitumen " .

Derrek

didn't know that point was there should be more support then there currently is.

[Pilsner14]

Sad situation. Tough to watch. My problems immediately seem not that bad.

[joeruby]

It's horrific to watch on the news. You can see these long lines of traffic of people evacuating as the forest burns around them.

Amazing there are no casualties in such a massive area affected.

Our hearts go out to all those affected. Keep safe..

[irratebass]

I just heard about this yesterday (I don't have tv) seen the coverage on bbc.com unbelievable.........Glad to hear there haven't been any casualties reported.....the devastation is remarkable...my heart goes out to those people.

[Rye]

It is a devistating event and not many of us Albertans don't know someone affected.

It makes me extremely proud to be born and raised as an Albertan to see and hear the stories of communities and individuals coming together to help, making sacrifices to ensure loss is minimized, and offer great support in this cities time of desperation. Not many places in this world, or even country could boast such a catastrophe without mass chaos, casualty, and crime. Alberta Strong!!

The media and politicians are making me sick to my stomach with their twisting views and axe sharpening, but the people have been amazing.

[dvickery]

Big pat on the back for the people of Edmonton also .

80,000 + people being welcomed with open arms into homes in Edmonton .

Alberta strong indeed

Derrek

[leftimatic]

It is a devistating event and not many of us Albertans don't know someone affected.

It makes me extremely proud to be born and raised as an Albertan to see and hear the stories of communities and individuals coming together to help, making sacrifices to ensure loss is minimized, and offer great support in this cities time of desperation. Not many places in this world, or even country could boast such a catastrophe without mass chaos, casualty, and crime. Alberta Strong!!

The media and politicians are making me sick to my stomach with their twisting views and axe sharpening, but the people have been amazing.

I don't think there is a Canadian who doesn't know someone affected. And I agree Alberta hospitality has always been top notch. Next to BC it's my favourite place to be. Edmonton is like a second home town to me. I think the emergency crews and everyone directly involved did an amazing job. Good show folks.

[Zedman05]

I can tell you the line up's at Tim Hortons, and other eateries on the north side of Edmonton here are pretty long lately. Lots of people have come into the city and have been lucky to have family or friends to stay with. I have my brother and his fiance here for however long it takes to get them back to Fort Mac.

We also have seen a lot of people at the evacuee shelters and dropped off food and went shopping this morning for clothes for them as well with our kids.

This has literally been one of the biggest eye-openers in my life that people can be truely awesome. Soooooo many humbling experiences that have been displayed in the last few days. I am truely proud to be Albertan, and extremely proud of the people around me. I just can't get over how hard those firefighters are working up north there. Amazing !

#Albertaproud #Albertastrong

Cigar F^iend