Canada loses an entire city due to wild fire — Yes you read that correctly.

sussexbound:

thejusticethatissocial:

bradwagon182:

the-great-snape-debate:

Within the last week Canada has lost an entire city due to wild fire and it is rapidly spreading, and expected to double in size. Fort McMurray has been ablaze all week and the fire is spreading towards Saskatchewan. Attempts to put the fire out have been failing because the fire is so hot water it is evaporating before it can do any good. 

Dry and extremely windy conditions are fueling the blaze, which has already scorched more than 1,560 square kilometers (602 square miles) and displaced tens of thousands of people.

These people are no longer evacuees … They’re refugees. 

Rain is to be expected next week, but a downpour is needed to tame a monstrous fire – which is the size of Hong Kong and is almost 25% bigger than New York City – that has displaced about 88,000 people, wiped out 1,600 structures including homes, schools and hospitals, and sent plumes of smoke as far away as Iowa.

Here is a link if you want to help, please share this, this is a huge tragedy and these people need help. 

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/want-to-help-those-fleeing-fort-mcmurray-heres-how/

These aren’t screen captions from a movie this is happening RIGHT NOW less than 1000 miles away from my own home. 

This shit is real. Many were given less than 15 mins to evacuate. There are videos of people fleeing the city and the smoke and flames are advancing faster than the traffic is moving. I have friends and family that have lost everything, their pets, homes, vehicles, photo albums. Please signal boost this.

@allthecanadianpolitics

*from the article listed by the OP*

DONATE MONEY:

1. If you want to donate to the Red Cross, you can give any amount through this link:Alberta Fires Appeal. Alternately, you can donate $5 by texting REDCROSS to 30333 or donate $10 by texting FIRES to 45678. Be careful: There are some scammers posing as the Red Cross asking for money on social media. Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government is matching all donations made to the Red Cross for the Fort McMurray Wildfires.
2. If you want to donate to the Salvation Army, you can give any amount through this link: Alberta Fire Response.
3. If you want to donate to Save the Children, you can give any amount through this link: Fort McMurray Emergency Wildfire.

OFFER ACCOMMODATION:

1. If you need a place to stay, or are looking to take in some evacuees, check out these Facebook groups: Fort McMurray Evacuee Open Source Help Page, Fort Mcmurray evac relocation help group.
2. Airbnb has waived all service fees for those affected by the fire, and there are already over 140 places listed on the site for free.
3. Those able to house displaced people can also sign up at ymmfire.ca

HELP PETS

1. The Calgary Humane Society is taking donations, you can give here: Fundraiser in Support of Fort McMurray.
2. The Edmonton Humane Society is also taking donations, you can give here: Fort McMurray Wildfire Donation form.
3. Those looking to house people’s pets, help unify lost pets with owners, and generally assist with animal rescue should check out this Facebook page: Fort McMurray Fire Emergency Animal Assistance

DONATE FOOD AND ITEMS:

1. If you want to donate items such as blankets or clothes, check out this Facebook group: Fort Mac Fire Donations. Make sure you’re only giving things people actually need. People often donate things after a disaster that aren’t needed, and sometimes actually get in the way of vital supplies.
2. Edmonton Emergency Relief Services is collecting new shoes, towels, socks, underwear, diapers, baby wipes, and toiletries. Drop off items at: Hangar 2: 3631 – 56 Ave East, Edmonton International Airport.
3. Edmonton’s Food Bank is collecting donations. Food can be dropped off at any major grocery store or fire hall.

VOLUNTEER:

1. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is inviting volunteers to sign up here.
2. Edmonton Emergency Relief Services is looking for volunteers (must be 16 or older) at a number of locations throughout Edmonton. Volunteers are particularly needed at the airport, as that location is running 24-7. Follow their Facebook page:Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society, for the latest updates.
3. Those interested in volunteering with the Red Cross can sign up here.