The ashy aftermath of Canada ’ s costilest natural disaster
diSaSterS mean diSruption , Sorrow and suffering . But they are also times when people can — and must — come together as a local and national community . In the weeks following the fire ’ s outbreak , Canadians from across the country pitched in . From corporate donations by oil and gas companies , transportation businesses and pro sports teams to contributions from average citizens , aid poured in .
In Lethbridge , AMA along with local police and fire departments hosted a breakfast that raised more than $ 28,000 for Fort McMurray evacuees . AMAwas also one of many
The auto graveyard at Fort McMurray ’ s municipal impound
sponsors who participated in the largest single public fundraising effort , Fire Aid — a benefit concert that raised over $ 2 million for the United Way . In total , the Canadian Red Cross received $ 130 million for recovery efforts in the Wood Buffalo Municipality , with most of it still to be matched by the federal and Alberta governments .
As fundraising efforts continued , Fort McMurray residents were allowed to start returning home about a month after the largest evacuation in recent Canadian history . Firefighters managed to save approximately 90 percent of the city . But sadly , nearly 90 percent of Waterways had succumbed to the fire , with a large number of homes lost in Abasand and Beacon Hill , among other neighbourhoods .
On the morning of June 4 , Russell and Thompson visited their home for the first time since the fire . The log house , like so many other homes in the path of the flames , had completely crumbled under the intense heat . All traces of the couple ’ s furniture , clothing , laptops and mementos were gone .
“ At that moment , we started the process of disconnecting from our old home ,” Thompson says . As she painfully sifted through the rubble , she managed to find a piece of her favourite pottery set , a puddle of melted gold jewellery , a ruby from her father-inlaw ’ s wedding ring and a bird bath . But after less than a half hour , she felt compelled to leave . “ I just didn ’ t want to spend any more time there .”
narinder goraya recallS the taSte and smell of wet ash lingering in the air upon his return to Fort McMurray . “ Parts of the city looked like a scene out of a movie : As far as the eye could see , nothing but charred trees and black soil . It was a horrible sight ,” he says . “ But you just keep thinking about what you have thIs pAGe And opposIte : curtIs trent
30 FALL 2016
AMA InsIder