Tag: wildfire damage

Categories
Economic Ft Mac

Wildfire Damage Leaves McMurray Métis Without Office, Many Important Files Destroyed

The McMurray Métis are having to make do by using multiple locations to run their operation after they lost their main office and a number of important files as a result of wildfire damage. The main office for the group was located on land that the Métis rented from the provincial government, and many of the computer systems in the office were not backed up. Older files and a number of financial documents are gone and can not be recovered, dealing the group a devastating blow. According to the McMurray Métis general manager Daniel Stuckless “Those are pretty big hits to us. We’re trying to recover a lot of it by piecing together old emails and old backups. It’s going to be an interruption, but we don’t think it will keep us grounded for long.”

The McMurray Métis are not the only group impacted by the wildfire damage, but the main office also served as a meeting place for leaders of the various Métis groups as well as a hub for the local Métis community. Stuckless explained that “Ideally, we want to be where we were. Right now, it’s up to the provincial government since they own the land.” Mental health services are sorely needed by the local community as well as other support services. Many people lost homes and are running out of options. Stuckless told the media “I’ve found some guys to start cutting grass around the city for money, but they need permanent work. A lot of them are putting on a strong face, but they’re struggling. There is still a challenge in getting people to admit they need to talk.”

Categories
Alberta Ft Mac Health

Fort McMurray Homes Could Have Hidden Wildfire Damage or Other Dangers

With a return to Fort McMurray homes close many who have been evacuated plan to come back as soon as possible, but caution is being advised. Some of the homes in the area may not look like they have sustained much damage but there could be hidden risks and dangers that residents are not aware of that must be considered as well. Products caused by the combustion and char that a wildfire involves could pose health hazards, yet these risks are typically invisible to the naked eye and are not obvious from the start.

According to retired occupational and environmental hygiene expert Dr. Robert Lockhart, who consulted on health problems caused by a fire in Kelowna which devastated 250 residences, “After people go back to their homes, some of them have the possibility of experiencing exposures to contaminants which have entered into the house. They had gone through a whole array of efforts over a five-year period. We were able to demonstrate the particulate deposits on basically any surface we looked at. That includes floors, walls, ceilings, furnishings, clothing, you name it, and demonstrated that the chemicals were emitting from the particulate.”

Some ways to mitigate the health hazards from wildfire damage caused to Fort McMurray homes is to clean everything thoroughly, throwing away items that can not be completely cleaned or which have sustained significant exposure to compounds from the fire. Microscopic particles from wildfires can emit volatile gases over time, and these gases can include formaldehyde, methanol, formic acid, acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, and acetic acid.

Categories
Alberta Economic Ft Mac Health

What can Returning Fort McMurray Residents Expect After Wildfire Damage?

Fort McMurray residents who plan on returning home as soon as possible need to have realistic expectations about the extent of the wildfire and be prepared for the possible lack of services and amenities when they first come back. The government has issued some guidelines for the evacuees so that they know what they should bring back with them and they are not caught unaware once they return. When Fort McMurray residents come back they should make sure to bring prescription refills with them as many pharmacies may not be operating at first and the drugs needed may not be available in Fort McMurray initially. Residents are also advised to bring a supply of water and a sufficient amount of non perishable food with them as well. Electricity is back on to many areas but refrigerators and freezers may be damaged or unusable.

Fort McMurray residents are also advised to bring other things so that they are prepared and they can start the wildfire damage recovery process. Hand soap or sanitizer should be kept on hand, and these products should be at least 60% alcohol based. A camera is also recommended so that any damage can be documented with photos for an insurance claim or investigation. Long sleeved shirts, long pants, and boots may be required as well. Flashlights and batteries should be available in case electricity is not available or extensive damage has been sustained. A boil water advisory will be in effect until further notice, probably at least until the end of June. Some Fort McMurray residents are advised to stay away for the time being, and these include anyone in the late stages of pregnancy, those who have respiratory problems, and anyone receiving dialysis or cancer treatment. The hospital was damaged and only basic services may be offered to residents at first as a result.

Categories
Alberta Breaking News Ft Mac Health

Fort McMurray Sees 20% of Homes Destroyed by Wildfire Damage

The wildfire damage caused by a wildfire that is still raging on has cost Fort McMurray 20% of the homes in the area after these residences were completely destroyed. Many are saying that this could be the most expensive wildfire ever after the fire is finally contained and all the damage caused can be assessed. Right now heroic efforts by firefighters from around the area have prevented even more devastation but the area has been completely evacuated and even the oilsands operations of energy companies has ground to a halt as everyone is ordered to leave for their own safety. After David Yurdiga toured Fort McMurray to survey the damage caused he voiced his concern that it could take years before the city resumed normal operations after this disaster.

The wildfire damage in Fort McMurray has caused the evacuation of over 100,000 people. Many of the residents do not even know whether they still have a home to go back to once the evacuation order is lifted, and many find themselves relying on the goodness of others to help in this time of need. Communities have stepped up in order to assist those who were forced to evacuate and the government is also taking steps to provide assistance as well. The wildfire currently covers around 620 miles, thanks to a spread that was slower than anticipated, but it could still take months to extinguish and a considerable amount of wildfire damage could still occur during this time. According to Yurdiga after the tour “An estimate: 20% of the homes have been burnt, but the majority of homes are standing, no damage at all. So you know what? It’s a lot better than I thought it was.”