Fellow Residents Provide Help to Fort McMurray Evacuees
Residents of the Canadian province of Alberta have been stepping up to help the more than 80,000 wildfire evacuees from Fort McMurray, as firefighters believe they have gained the upper hand against the devastating blaze.
Smoke was still seen rising from the forest near the oil sands town on Wednesday, but relevant departments in Alberta said the fire stopped spreading and the weather conditions will help further contain it.
The evacuees are spread all across the province, including the town of Lac La Biche, which is located south of Fort McMurray. The descending evacuees at one point outnumbered the local population.
Without hesitating, the residents of Lac La Biche sprung into action.
"I'm very proud of what we've accomplished. And it's funny I have people approaching me when I'm in Edmonton or they recognize who I am and thank me, but all of the thanks goes to our volunteers and our workers, and the citizens of this area," said Omer Moghrabi, mayor of Lac La Biche.
Practically everyone did something. The local hardware store began giving out free laundry detergent to evacuees.
"I don't even know who said to get ready. Just all of the sudden, bang, people were here. The county staff, the mayor, the council, all the volunteers, they just put in an action plan, and it went from there," said Tony Marczak, owner of the hardware store.
A popular pizza place offered evacuees free food. Brian Laboucane, owner of the establishment, said he has been giving out a hundred bowls a day of his famous hangover soup.
"You got to feed the people. Times are tough. What do you do," he said.
A private lodge opened up its 40 rooms to evacuees. Ruth Day and her husband, Fort McMurray evacuees, have been staying in one of them -- entirely for free.
"We have not run into anybody that did not try to help, in some way, however they could. There was always somebody trying to help," said Ruth.
The lakefront town's slogan is "Welcoming by Nature." Those temporarily here say they'll never forget the warm reception. More on: http://www.cctvplus.com/news/20160512...
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