Skip to content

Help for Fort Mac evacuees

Fort McMurray evacuees are finding support and refuge in Okotoks, from access to Town facilities to free camping. Lions Park Campground has opened its gates to Fort McMurray evacuees, saving 15 spots specifically for those fleeing the wildfire.

Fort McMurray evacuees are finding support and refuge in Okotoks, from access to Town facilities to free camping.

Lions Park Campground has opened its gates to Fort McMurray evacuees, saving 15 spots specifically for those fleeing the wildfire. To secure the sites, campground manager Pauline Krause called campers and asked them to forfeit their reserved sites.

“They were very gracious to give up their long weekend campsite,” said Krause.

No Fort McMurray evacuee has had to pay for a campsite, she said.

“It’s really hard to ask someone for money when they have nothing,” said Krause. “We couldn’t do that.”

At the moment, five families are residing in the campground. Two additional families set up camp and then moved on to stay with family members, said Krause.

She said the Lions are doing everything they can to help the evacuees in their park, including collecting grocery and gas gift cards at the campground office to provide to Fort McMurray residents in the park.

“We want to do all we can for these people,” said Krause. “We don’t know how long they might stay or what they’ve lost, because nobody’s sure what they’ve got left. It’s really very said. But every day’s a new day.”

The Town of Okotoks is following the same protocol as during the 2013 flood, said Nancy Weigel, corporate and strategic services director.

Evacuees are permitted to park recreational vehicles on driveways through town, and can even find a place to park units in the Okotoks Recreation Centre parking lot if necessary, she said.

In addition, homes that have been opened to Fort McMurray residents may receive a larger garbage bin. Dogs are not required to be licensed in town, and anyone who shows a piece of identification with a Fort Mac address can access recreation facilities and programs free of charge, she said.

“We’re really just trying to welcome them into our community and offer assistance for the families hosting evacuees as well as the evacuees themselves,” said Weigel.

Families hosting Fort McMurray residents can register with Red Cross, she said. Evacuees staying in town can register with Municipal Enforcement as temporary residents and receive access to Town programs and services, she said.

The Town’s website lists organizations that may help displaced families, she said, such as the business directory and Okotoks Food Bank.

The food bank is preparing to assist in any way possible, said executive director Sheila Hughes.

“We don’t know what the need is yet, but we are certainly ready to help any families who come to us,” said Hughes.

She said Okotoks has a lot of ties to the northern city, and she wouldn’t be surprised to see an increase in need within the next few weeks.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks