Forest fire in Fort McMurray

NH mountain man · May 8, 2016

bogieb said: ↑

The second most striking thing in that pic (besides the obvious devastation) is that the utility lines are still up - just seems so strange (although I'm sure they are toast inside)
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They'll all need to be rewired. Total devastation.

schlot · May 8, 2016

What a horrible mess they are facing. Uggg.

Yesterday was incredibly hazy throughout Iowa. All the smoke from the Canadian and Minnesota fires moved n. Looked like Californoa smog of years past

TurboDiesel · May 18, 2016

Woodwidow said: ↑

this was posted this morning. I think we all should stop and take stock of really matters in our lives.

In Fort McMurray, Canada, a massive wildfire is raging. The entire population, over 80,000 people, have been evacuated.

In the midst of the chaos, One Fort McMurray citizen, John MacIsaac, wrote a touching account of the harrowing experience:

"I am laying here in the dark on the floor of a camp room. My family was fortunate enough to get a room but I know not everyone was as lucky. Right now I am so jealous of my children because they have no fears, no sense of loss about everything. It's actually calming for me to reassure my daughter that her toys don't matter, and that the few personal items we got out are more than we need.

It's funny because as I stare in the dark I keep telling myself that the words running through my head aren't true. The words "it's all gone" won't pass. But I keep reminding myself of what I know to be true more than ever. I have everything in this room with me. When I was leaving our home I looked all around and tried to decide what was important enough to take and the answer was nothing. Nothing mattered except my family. It still doesn't. And I feel so grateful because when I tried to leave town south bound I was delegates from my wife and my daughter Olivia, and I had my daughter Emma with me. I got to a point where I couldn't go further and the highway was covered in flames and I didn't think we would make it out. I looked at my angel and I have never felt such a fear. Such dread thinking I wouldn't be able to save what I hold dear. That's what I can't shake. What I can't let go. And while I trembled and shook; my little girl in all her innocence smiled at me and was laughing and wanted to play.

I'm writing this for two reasons. One because I need to let some of this out of my head, and two because I hope it will make everyone squeeze your kids a little tighter this week. Read them an extra bed time story. Give them an ice cream and watch them smile. Call your sister you are angry at and make up, or your brother you haven't had time to chat with in a while and say hi. Tell your loved ones they are loved and make time for a family dinner. Everything else is bullchit. It does not matter.

McMurray has given me everything. My wife. My children. My career. My friends. My greatest memories and milestones. And tonight as I write I still have all those things.

As I left town tonight I saw emergency workers still working. Risking their lives to get us all out. Police. Paramedics. Firefighters. I saw camp workers going up to the desk of their camp trying to hand in their keys so families could have a place to stay. People smiling and people in tears, and children running and laughing. It gives me hope that people are better than we think. More caring and selfless. Kind and compassionate. We are young and love our home. We have built it together as it has built us and our families."

‪#‎LoveWhatMatters‬
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This is the Peace that only God can give.

Praying for our northern brothers and sisters.

Sean · May 18, 2016

They were looking at how soon folks could get back into town since the fire has moved out of the immediate area but I heard there was an explosion that damaged 10 houses, probably from gas. The fire is huge now and has burnt one of the oil sands camps. I feel bad for the people there as many of them were evacuated from fort Mac to this camp and to have to be evacuated a second time.... There is low pressure and rain moving in to the area today for several days which will be very helpful. Apparently the fire is so huge that they cant put it out without help from mother nature.

saskwoodburner · May 18, 2016

That fire just keeps on going. It's supposed to hit the western border of Saskatchewan today.

bogieb · May 19, 2016

Sean said: ↑

There is low pressure and rain moving in to the area today for several days which will be very helpful. Apparently the fire is so huge that they cant put it out without help from mother nature.
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I hope Mother Nature sees fit to help out.

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Forest fire in Fort McMurray

NH mountain man

schlot

TurboDiesel

Sean

saskwoodburner

bogieb