With a longing sigh, her laughter faded and echoes filled the air as Alvina Morris solemnly mused, “How I yearn to see my grandchildren. How I miss their warm embraces.” Perched on her walker, she cut a solitary figure against the backdrop of the renowned Westin Hotel.
Morris is part of the approximately 3,500 evacuees currently seeking shelter in Calgary. The relentless wildfires that have swept their homes into chaos forced them to flee, trading familiar settings with uncertainty and fear for the past three weeks.
Reflecting on the possibility of returning home, Morris confessed, “I felt a great surge of joy. They may not have confirmed a date, but the mere hint of reassurance that we’ll soon return to the comfort of our homes was overwhelming.”
With airspace still facing restrictions, only one flight could be scheduled at YYC on Wednesday. However, supplementary services are in the pipeline to aid the return.
The territorial administration implores the affected citizens to brace themselves for a self-sustaining lifestyle for at least 72 hours upon their homecoming.
Others are gearing up for intense, prolonged road travel. As they prepare for the arduous 19-hour drive back, they’re no strangers to the attendant stress.
Michelle Lucas mirrored that sentiment as she oversaw her family’s last-minute packing. “While we are ecstatic about returning home, the logistical hazards are nerve-wracking,” she candidly admitted.
Michelle acknowledges the widespread fear of running out of fuel mid-journey. Yet, even such potential pitfalls couldn’t dampen their desire to be home, despite the welcoming arms of Calgary.
“I hope we never have to experience this turmoil again,” she added, echoing the sentiment of her brave family and countless others.
The situation’s gravity is underscored by the fact that starting from August 16, nearly all of Yellowknife’s 20,000 residents were evacuated. The cause? A rash of wildfires steadily advancing upon the territorial capital, painting a grim picture of the harsh reality of our changing climate.
