Tofield and area residents spring into action for Fort Mac evacuees – Mayor praises work of local volunteers

The outpouring of aide offered by local residents, groups and businesses for the Fort McMurray evacuees fleeing a devastating wildfire grew exponentially as the days wore on last week.

Now being called “the beast,” the wildfire switched gears last Tuesday and rapidly headed for the northern city giving residents little time to evacuate.

Images of people driving vehicles through flame and ash to get to safety haunt the public perceptions as more than 88,000 deserted a city that eventually ended up looking like a war zone.

The evacuees escaped to camps north of the city or headed south to Edmonton or Calgary, or stayed in other places along the way. On the weekend, the thousands staying to the north of McMurray left to head south as well.

Right from the start, local people started organizing food, clothing and accommodation for evacuees. And their efforts were not lost on a local official.

“I want to really thank…” said Tofield Mayor Harold Conquest last Friday… more see the May 10/16 Mercury