Any DDBBers in Fort Mac?

[Tabby]

I didn't see a thread on this. I've read a lot about horses and other animals being rescued. It occurred to me that it's possible some of our own members are up there. What a horrific tragedy and it's still going on. I'm doing my rain dance for them but I'm so far away. Here's the latest article from CBC but there are plenty more http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ ... -1.3568035.

[Tabby]

I found a horse story on this: http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/201 ... dfire.html

Poor girl had to ride her horse out of the path of the fire. They are safe for now but the fire is still raging. Please - if any DDBBers are from this area please check in when you are ok. I can't imagine anything so horrific.

[Rhianon]

Have you seen the dashcam videos of the exodus? Honestly, when I heard about it I imagined cars driving down an orderly highway. I would have been so absolutely terrified going through that.

I once drove through a forest fire, nothing as bad as this. The weird thing is that all the oxygen is sucked out of the air.

[Tabby]

Sounds scary Rhianon. I watched one video of cars driving through the fire and it nearly made me sick to my stomach. I can't imagine doing it myself. It's amazing that nobody died in the fires though 2 were killed on the evacuation highway. Those poor people have lost everything and the fire is still raging and growing. Again - doing my rain dance for them because that's the only thing that will help get it under control.

[Code3]

Not only losing everything but some had to leave pets behind or animals were left in houses and apartments. It just rips my guts out for people and animals.

[Tabby]

Many of them have made it out. Some charming video here of horses in someone's suburban backyard: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ ... -1.3562513

[Rhianon]

This is a great story of flying some dogs, cats, and turtles out:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/can ... -1.3571620

[Tabby]

Here's a really nice story about a fire fighter who answered pleas on social media to rescue their pets left at home. Many of these people were not allowed to return to their homes when the evacuation orders were made and had to leave their pets behind. Thankfully there were people like this who went in and saved them:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/a ... -1.3572958

[Rhianon]

They're bring pets in by the hundreds, now!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ ... 02?cmp=rss

[Tabby]

Yay!!!

Also, they are able to get into the city to survey the damages. It isn't as bad as previously thought. Though some neighbourhoods are completely destroyed, about 85% of the buildings can be saved. I'm sure many of those buildings (and their contents) have some damage but at least it isn't complete.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ ... -1.3574271

[Code3]

Thank you for the uplifting stories. And a huge thank you to the rescuers!!

[westisbest]

Don't think I've ever seen any posts by someone up there.. Far north. A few of us ordinary Albertans here. It was utterly devastating last week to just live thru the news coverage.. cannot fathom the terror and loss that they all are going thru. OTOH the stories of sacrifice, courage, compassion and superhuman efforts to save people, pets, horses and property are the upside. Just like the flood in 2013.

Alberta Strong.. the motto you see everywhere right now.

[Chisamba]

I wonder how you abandon your pets, they would be in my car before my wallet and my clothing. I guess in many cases the people were not at home and were not allowed to return?

[viscountessleftfield]

I wonder how you abandon your pets, they would be in my car before my wallet and my clothing. I guess in many cases the people were not at home and were not allowed to return?

From what I've read people weren't allowed to return home from work/school when they were told to leave.

[westisbest]

Yes exactly.. A lot of people (still) were working at camps and oilfield operations some distance out of town so
were unable to return. This fire moved incredibly quickly. People in some of the critical areas had to just turn their horses lose and run.

Smell of smoke in the air today. And I'm in Calgary 750 kms away.

[Rhianon]

Hey, read about this guy who took care of a lot of other people's pets.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.3579610