Newfoundlanders and Labradorians desperately flee Fort McMurray wildfires
Many people originally from N.L. live and work in northern Alberta city
Newfoundland and Labrador expats living in Fort McMurray, Alb. have taken to social media to plea for help in the wake of evacuations following intense wildfires surrounding the city.
Adam DuBourdieu of Kippens, who was visiting family in Fort McMurray, fled the city Tuesday afternoon after more evacuation notices were sent out. He told CBC the fire was about a kilometre away from where he was staying when they packed up and left.
"The kids were screaming as we were leaving, but we calmed them down," he said.
"The fire's so bad that it has crossed the river, which is a major river running north, and it's hit several parts of Fort McMurray," he told CBC on Tuesday.
"There's a huge plume of black smoke from the northern part of the city, and a stream of cars that are evacuating en masse. It's the second time we've evacuated and this time it seems like everybody is leaving the city."
Calls for help
One woman named Jenine, who describes herself as "Newfoundland born," took to Twitter to beg for help getting out of Fort McMurray's Abasand neighbourhood, before finally saying they had to leave their vehicle and belongings to leave the city with neighbours.
PLEASE HELP ABASAND!!!! The flames are close and we can't get out!!!!!! It's Gridlock!!! Let the old side out!!!!!
—@JHauk84PLEASE GET US OUT!! Houses burning in Abasand and we can't move
—@JHauk84We had to run from our home with nothing. Had to abandon our car. Our neighbours picked us up. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ymmfire?src=hash">#ymmfire</a> we are out of Abasand!
—@JHauk84Fears of lost homes
Julie Lodge of Catalina, who also lives in the Abasand area of Fort McMurray, was posting to Facebook while gridlocked in traffic with thousands of others trying to get far away from the flames.
"What a sickening feeling," she wrote. "My home looks like it's about to go down in flames. Never seen anything like this before."
Labradorians Jenni-Rose Campbell and Craig Montague were also leaving the city on Tuesday, and shared the following video with CBC.
Several people were also on Twitter and Facebook expressing concern for loved ones living in Fort McMurray who had lost their properties or were trying to get to safety.
My cousin's house has burnt to the ground in the fire in Fort McMurray, sick to my stomach.
—@kaddleMore updates
Follow CBC Edmonton for overnight updates and follow @TerryReithCBC and @briarstewart on Twitter, who are covering this story as it develops.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador will have more coverage Wednesday on all platforms regarding people from this province.
Incredible eye-witness interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/RosieBarton">@RosieBarton</a> with resident in Fort McMurray about evacuations <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yymfire?src=hash">#yymfire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yym?src=hash">#yym</a> <a href="https://t.co/LLPLF86wUS">https://t.co/LLPLF86wUS</a>
—@PatMorrell_CBC