'It was just crazy, it was surreal'

Innisfailian Blair Wall has been going to Fort McMurray on and off for the past 10 years to work in the oil sands but has never had a journey like the one this week.

On May 4, the 37-year-old oil patch worker and four co-workers were told they had to leave their camp, about 20 kms north of Fort McMurray, to make room for the displaced citizens fleeing the gigantic wildfire that was causing devastation to the city.

"What was mind-boggling for us was that there was so many families in the camp, filled with kids and pets, and filled with people you never see," said Wall.

After fuelling up, Wall and his co-workers then hit the road and soon witnessed the devastation firsthand from the wildfire on both sides of the highway.

"it was all burnt up," said Wall. "The trees were still standing but they were all burnt. As you were driving you saw more of the devastation. Some of the buildings were still on fire. Parts of telephone poles were just hanging. They got burnt.

"It was just crazy. It was surreal. I have worked up there off and on for the past 10 years and to see all that damage it was crazy," added Wall. "You hear about it and think about it but you don't realize it is real until you are actually looking at it."

After driving through the fire-ravaged city, Wall continued on Highway 63 but also strategically decided to take southbound detours and backroads to avoid the traffic gridlock. Throughout the hazardous journey home he was witness to both disturbing scenes of flight and destruction, as well as extraordinary acts of kindness.

"What was crazy was all the vehicles that were left abandoned on the side of the road, stuck in ditches, up on curbs," said Wall.

"People were going up north with tanks, five-gallon drums and jerry cans of fuel and pulling over and helping people who were out of fuel.

"When I left last night I tried to get fuel on site at the camp and I couldn't. I had a little bit of fuel and we made it as far as Mariana Lake and I was on empty," added Wall. "I was able to pull into the camp there and they were giving away free fuel. I filled up my truck. It was incredible."

He said many fleeing folks, despite their anxiety over loved ones and whether they were going to get out of the inferno safely, were showing consideration on Highway 63, a roadway that is notorious for wreckless and inconsiderate driving.

"Usually Highway 63 is just a madhouse driving. Everybody is usually in a rush, cutting people off but it was such a casual drive down the highway, very nice and casual," said Wall.

After beginning his journey in the morning he safely made it to Fort Saskatchewan by 3 p.m. – a six-hour journey. He would later drive back to Innisfail to be with his wife and daughter.

He was home, and grateful, especially for the countless people everywhere who reached deep inside to help others, no matter what their seemingly dire circumstances were at on any given moment.

"People everywhere were just helping," said Wall. "It was pretty amazing."

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