By Dan Singleton and Lea Smaldon Sundre firefighters were preparing Wednesday afternoon, May 4 to head to Fort McMurray, perhaps as early as Thursday, fire chief Marty Butts said.
By Dan Singleton and Lea Smaldon
Sundre firefighters were preparing Wednesday afternoon, May 4 to head to Fort McMurray, perhaps as early as Thursday, fire chief Marty Butts said.
More than 80,000 people have been evacuated from Fort McMurray due to wildfires that have destroyed more than 1,600 structures since May 3. The province declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon.
"I think it’s a for-sure thing that we are going up there," said Butts. "Didsbury and Carstairs have already gone up there. We are going to supply four or five men to go up there and get into a shift rotation."
The Olds Fire Department sent seven firefighters and five vehicles – an engine, mini-pumper, a wildland unit and two support vehicles – the night of May 3. Four firefighters from the Town of Didsbury’s department and two from the Town of Carstairs are with them as well.
Butts said when Sundre firefighters deploy, they will be taking whatever small equipment they can spare.
"Obviously we can’t send too much because we don’t want to have an issue down here with manpower or equipment," Butts said.
"We’ve got to protect our world equally. We can’t just run and take everything up there. I’m figuring out what we can take up there, what manpower and what equipment we can spare."
Asked when Sundre firefighters will be heading up, he said, "Friday would be the day, if it’s not tomorrow. We are going to be working hand-in-hand with those guys from Olds and Didsbury. We will go wherever we are pointed."
With their service area including the vast West County forest along the Eastern Slopes, Sundre firefighters are well versed in wildland firefighting techniques.
As of early afternoon on May 4, the Town of Sundre had not been requested to provide any resources by the Provincial Operations Centre (POC) of the Alberta Management Agency, said Jim Hall, the Town of Sundre’s deputy emergency management co-ordinator.
The POC is responsible for co-ordinating and maintaining the response to the disaster.
Hall has been watching the progression of the wildfire since it flared up over the weekend.
The POC and Hall himself want to ensure adequate fire protection remains for the rest of Alberta municipalities while the Fort McMurray fire is battled.
"We need to keep our forces close at hand - we are very, very dry here," said Hall.
He is spending the week doing community outreach ensuring businesses and community members get the message to be responsible if going into the backcountry.
"Everyone needs to be vigilant. Find out what fire bans are on and be responsible out there," he said.
He also advises area residents to be prepared for disaster by having a 72-hour emergency kit ready.
Greenwood Neighbourhood Place (GNP) began fielding calls the morning of May 4 from area residents wanting to know how to help victims of the Fort McMurray fire.
Hall has advised GNP staff that donations should go to banks or the Red Cross which are able to take cash donations.
Donations can be made at the Red Cross website or by phoning 1-800-418-1111.
