Fort McMurray Fire

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The stream is just starting into the city here. Normally it's about a 5 hour drive. Food is scarce in some areas along the route. At least they have places to go once the get the gas to get moving.

I really feel for those who are north. The twitter account telling people what to do keeps telling people to not come south, to stay put. I'm not hearing much about conditions there, but I imagine not great.

With Slave Lake, many people were assuming that once the fires were out they could go back. It's more complicated than that though. I suspect this will be the same. Even if some of the city gets up and running fairly soon I don't see how they can also allow people in from the parts that aren't, there will be too much to do just to get the safer areas going for those who are there. I imagine there will be a police escort south eventually - so that people end up in areas with more goods & services.
 
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I am also very sorry to hear that, Pontifex. I can hardly imagine a worse day anyone could have. I hope he has lots of support to cope with the trauma. It's a terrible disaster and I really hope they can contain it soon and everyone gets out safely and stays safe.
 
Have they been bussing people out or car-sharing to try to cut down on some of the traffic and gas / vehicle maintenance needs? It just looks gridlocked in photos. It would be very scary.
 
Have they been bussing people out or car-sharing to try to cut down on some of the traffic and gas / vehicle maintenance needs? It just looks gridlocked in photos. It would be very scary.
I know there have been buses. Also abandoned vehicles along the highway, so people must be doubling up.
I don't think they were really pushing people to car-share, as they understood people want to pack up stuff with them.
I've heard of instances of 'car-sharing' where people gave those they knew access to their vehicle if they couldn't get to their own/couldn't get an a road out based on where it was.
 
Hopefully people are only taking minimal and only the most necessary items with them. I can understand wanting to grab as much to take as they can but it's way more important that they just get out safely!

I'd be grabbing my purse and my phone and my medication, maybe fill up a bottle of water, and that's it - out!
 
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The emergency operations centre went offline for a bit. They were the ones giving updates about what to do. They are now set up south of the city.
 
The emergency operations centre went offline for a bit. They were the ones giving updates about what to do. They are now set up south of the city.
Are they back on? That would also be scary. I just hope people are staying calm and leaving as quickly and orderly as they can. From what I've seen that is what's happening. People are handling it exceptionally well and helping each other out.
 
What would you do if you had a bunch of critters? There's six animals in my house (2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 guinea pig); would take some time to get them rounded up along with containment for them, food.
 
Are they back on? That would also be scary. I just hope people are staying calm and leaving as quickly and orderly as they can. From what I've seen that is what's happening. People are handling it exceptionally well and helping each other out.
Yes they are back up. It was about an hour or so they were off. News crews were told to get out too.
 
What would you do if you had a bunch of critters? There's six animals in my house (2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 guinea pig); would take some time to get them rounded up along with containment for them, food.
Some people took them. If left behind there is an Spca number and they will be taken out as much as possible. I think most people took dogs and cats.
 
What would you do if you had a bunch of critters? There's six animals in my house (2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 guinea pig); would take some time to get them rounded up along with containment for them, food.

I would take them, of course. To the best of my ability.

This was a very minor matter but last summer there was a fire alarm, actually two the same day/ night, in the building I was living in. Turns out it was some jerk misbehaving setting it off. The first one, my roommate got the cat in the carrier, put the dog on the leash - but was taking her sweet time getting her sh*t together. Next one, late at night - I was up and at 'em shoes on, with my purse...dog was awake. I got the cat into the carrier I think - that may have been the time he hid from me (fire alarms happened not infrequently enough there)...at any rate there was no way I could take her dog on the leash and carry the cat out, and get myself down the stairs. I use a cane. I was yelling for her to get up, neighbours were standing outside already but she didn't want to - she sleeps like a log. There was a high probability it was a false alarm - still I never want to be too sure and be sorry. So, I said, I'm going, took the cat - if I were alone and couldn't manage and it was my dog and cat (was a foster cat) I would just set them loose if I had to and hope they find their way. But I would try my best.


Amazingly, although I am slow on stairs etc, I've been on several occasions the first one ready to leave while others are puttering around or not getting up - buying a bit of time for when I get slowed down I guess.
 
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