Reflections on the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire
I remember standing in front of my children鈥檚 school with their principal, looking at the flames in the forest behind our home. 鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 look good,鈥 he said.
And as we know, it wasn鈥檛. But I challenge you to think about this: recognizing the myriad of emotions and experiences of May 3, 2016 in Fort McMurray, how are you now, a year later?
Even if you do not live in the region, the disaster struck a chord with many Albertans. Evacuations in the province always seem to touch everyone, directly or indirectly. People step up to help, offering food, shelter, toiletries, diapers, and pet supplies. Evacuation centres pop up everywhere, welcoming dazed, tired people. When we evacuated, we were flown to Calgary. Landing at Shell鈥檚 Aerodrome, we found staff had set up tables with basic necessities but someone had also gone to purchase car seats, small toys, and Tim Horton鈥檚. Small, welcome luxuries in a completely crazy time. We took a cab to our friends鈥 home in High River. Survivors themselves, people there welcomed us with open arms. Our arrival in the community stirred up emotions in many, demonstrating to me that recovery, does indeed, take time.
Fort McMurray is a community designed to deal with emergencies; safety is woven through every area of our lives here. This region is full of people from somewhere else; other provinces, other countries, infused with those unicorn-like locals, making us unique in a way few Canadian cities are. We鈥檙e strong, we鈥檙e tough, we鈥檙e resilient鈥 but where do we go when we feel anything but?
I reflect on my own reminders: the smell of smoke that started this March with controlled burns. The gas light in my car that still occasionally flicks on, even though I promised myself I would never let my gas tank go below half again. Kids that I see in community who talk about it. My kids. Front line workers who need relief. Everyone is trying but we鈥檙e stretched, emotionally, financially, and physically. 鈥淔ort Mac Strong鈥 goes without saying, but sometimes even fighters need a break. So how do you look after you?
Be kind. Rest. Self-care is important. We know this, but how many of us are kind to ourselves and carve out a few moments each day for this? A walk. Coffee with a friend. A nap. Reading. Yoga. Meditation. Painting. Carving. Engage with one another. Listen. If you鈥檝e had enough, if you feel done with talking about the fire that is ok too. Just know where to go for help if you need it.
When I get up on May 3rd, it will be a normal day in my house with the usual morning chaos of making lunches, letting the dog out, getting the kids off to school and myself to work. And maybe that鈥檚 a good thing. I imagine this date on the calendar will always hold significance to me but I鈥檓 choosing to reflect on the good I saw that day and in the days since. Find the space in your day to reflect, in whatever way works for you, in whatever capacity.
And if you need help, help is there. If you鈥檙e not doing well and would like to connect with a professional, 糖心视频 provides several options for that. For resources, call Health Link toll-free: 811 or the Mental Health Helpline 1-877-303-2642.
Visit for a list of 糖心视频 resources and links or the Help in Tough Times webpage:
You can also speak with your primary care provider/family physician if you are experiencing stress or need support coping.
In addition, we know that the upcoming one-year marker of the wildfire will be bringing up memories for many people. If you have thoughts, stories or reflections to share, join together with us at to do so.
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