When they first evacuated on Tuesday, May 3, many of the residents of Fort McMurray, Alta., had no idea how bad things were going to be. “We were told we were leaving because of the smoke. It was so thick, we could barely see through it, and people were starting to have trouble breathing,” said Rev. Lisa Aide, minister at Faith, Fort McMurray. “We thought it would be just a day or two before we could return, and didn’t take too much stuff.”
Her story is not unique. According to Rev. Harry Currie, minister at First, Edmonton, a city where many evacuees fled: “There were people coming in without their wallets, in pyjamas, even families coming in split up because their kids had been in school and evacuated one way while the parents in a different part of the city went the other way.”
Evacuees scattered around Alberta found refuge in 12 reception centers set up by the Red Cross. One of the largest of these was in the Edmonton Expo Centre, where many came to register even if they didn’t need food or shelter. Registering made it easier for friends and family members to find each other. The centre also offered financial assistance and allowed people to replace IDs and driver’s licenses that might have been left behind.
According to Rev. John Dowds, a Presbyterian minister and the Edmonton city chaplain, over 16,200 people registered at the Expo Centre. The large gym was at one point filled with cots and people clinging to what they had managed to bring with them. “They’ve really worked to help find housing ASAP, so they don’t have to stay in the gym. When people first arrived, we had 2,000 staying here.” By the week of May 8, the number staying at the Expo Centre was down to 400.
Evacuees stayed in a variety of places, many of them with family and friends, or in cottages and motor homes. Hotels in the area offered rooms, and the University of Alberta opened up empty residences to house people.
Due to the efforts of the Red Cross, most families found places to stay. Other groups, like Presbyterian World Service & Development, helped to raise money for short and long-term relief efforts. Local congregations assisted where they could by volunteering and donating money.
Presbyterian clergy provided chaplaincy care at the Expo Centre. Organized by Dowds, volunteer ministers from a variety of denominations worked in shifts. “The chaplains were there to support people in whatever way seems appropriate, whether that’s praying with them, giving someone a hug, or helping to carry things,” Dowds said. “We’re very blessed to have had almost 50 people volunteer their time like this.
“It’s amazing to see the mobilization of people working together for the common good.”
