Yesterday, Fort McMurray was hit with wildfires. The entire city has been evacuated, and much of it has been burnt. There are tens of thousands of displaced Albertans fleeing north and south for safety. Families had less than an hour in some cases to grab what they could and flee for their very lives. While the cars streamed out of the city, the images started flowing through social media. This is potentially Alberta's largest evacuation (the 2013 flood displaced 100 000 people), and is definitely the front runner for top news story of the year. In an area that was already hit hard from the economic downturn, it is a devastating blow to the area. Yes, I am reminded of the disaster that hit all too close to home three long (yet short) years ago when flood waters tore through the Calgary area. As the images of raging infernos and desperate people continue to stream on our news feeds, I cannot help but think back to that June, and see so many similarities.
The floods then, the flames now. I recall Slave Lake being gutted by fires as well. I can still see the images of the Edmonton tornado of 87. Every time a natural disaster hits this province, I am reminded of the strength of Alberta. That strength is being tested again now, and I am certain that the strength will endure. It will endure in the hearts of the countless people who will and are giving what they can to help out, and I salute each one. To the people who will give of their time and strength to fight the fires until they are out, and to those who will help rebuild. To the families who open their homes to those who just lost theirs, and to the businesses who are providing free room, gas, food, clothing, and comfort. To the believers who can do little more but send their prayers above for respite, and to the well-off who are freely giving of their excess without thought or desire for recognition. To the organizations that pledge millions of dollars in relief, and to the volunteers who will clock countless hours organizing food and toiletries. Even to the young children who will draw pictures and ask God to help the nice people of Fort Mac, every bit is strength.
However, there will always be a test of that strength. Some will seek to gain from this tragedy. There will be scam artists who will try to pick the pockets clean of those who are destitute, just to make the cheap buck. Already there are those who seek to take advantage of the situation to score political points. They are sprouting up on all sides of the spectrum to see if they can move their own agenda forward. There are those who are taking this moment to attack the government, claiming that if the other guy was in charge, things would have been better handled. There are those who take this moment to express glee that karma is kicking the evil oil workers in the collective nether regions and say that all this was coming as we pillage Mother Earth. Some will use this as a rallying cry to their tent. I say we all need to leave our respective tents and help those who need it. This is not the time to start using this real human tragedy to attack refugees and pipelines. This is not the strength of Alberta. Regardless of what side of the spectrum you vote on, or where you prefer to get your electricity from, or what type of car you drive, it is time to grow up, roll up, and step up. Put the nonsense of divisiveness in the trash where it belongs, and get out there and help. Forget climate change and work on changing your heart. Forget right wing and left wing ideologies and get going on right thing actions that will make sure the pettiness is left in the wings. Look out for your neighbours like it was 1950 because it's 2016. Stop tearing down people when the fires have torn down a whole city. If you cannot pick up a hammer or a water bottle to help the people of Fort McMurray rebuild, then drop the politics and mean tweets to help their souls rebuild.
As always, the situation will be front and center for a time, and then the long, difficult road of rebuilding will occur. Mistakes are going to be made by many people in the aftermath. The strength of Alberta will come in the fixing of those mistakes. We need to remember that we are all in this together. Let us give each other the benefit of the doubt for the time being, and chip in where we can. Donate money to the right places. Stand up with those we often stand against as we stand togther with our friends, family, and fellow Albertans in Fort McMurray. Give your spare change, give your spare time, and do a little more. The strength of Alberta will win out over this as it has in the past. Fort McMurray will again contribute to the well-being of this fair province and country. We can and will do this together.
After all, this is Alberta. It's what we do.
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