Billboard signs salute returning residents of Fort McMurray
“Welcome Home Fort McMurray.”
That’s the message tens of thousands of evacuees will see as they return to the wildfire-ravaged city for the first time since the evacuation en masse.
A month after the wildfire started, some Fort McMurray evacuees returned home to start reclaiming their city.
Chris Byrne, one of the few residents allowed back into the city before the evacuation orders were lifted, decided to make the temporary change to the city’s welcome sign, which usually reads “Welcome to Fort McMurray.”
A scarred city that has sat largely vacant for the last month is slowly springing back to life.
Six billboards line the highway into town.
- “Welcome back.”
- “We are here. We are strong.”
- “Thank you for being resilient.”
- “Together we will rebuild.”
- “Safe. Resilient. Together.”
- “Thank you for staying safe.”
Here’s what returning residents have been advised to bring with them:
- Enough food, drinking water and prescription medication to last up to 14 days. A boil-water advisory continues to be in effect and stores are still being cleaned up and restocked.
- N-95 dust masks to reduce smoke exposure. The masks are available at hardware stores and one per household will be included in the Canadian Red Cross cleaning kits available at information centres.
- Appropriate clothing, including boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves.
- A camera to document any damage for insurance purposes.
- A flashlight, as some homes may not have power.
Various Sources: cbc.ca, ctvnews.ca, The Canadian Press
~Wakenya Canada
