Fort McMurray fire: how northern Ontario folks can help
Prime Minister encouraging Canadians to give to the Red Cross
As the fire in Fort McMurray, Alta., rages on — seeing tens of thousands displaced from their homes — people across northern Ontario and beyond are looking for ways to help.
- LIVE BLOG | Breaking updates on the Fort McMurray wildfire
- Trudeau says Canadians will unite around Fort McMurray's call for help with wildfire
- Wildfire rages in Fort McMurray as evacuees settle in Edmonton
- 2 babies born in Fort McMurray wildfire evacuation camp
Trudeau says Cdns are asking how to help Ft. Mac - reach out to friends, family who live there, PM says, or give to Red Cross <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ymmfire?src=hash">#ymmfire</a>
—@CBCPoliticsThousands forced from their homes. Help communities impacted by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ABfire?src=hash">#ABfire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YMMfire?src=hash">#YMMfire</a>: <a href="https://t.co/xa0TIyfAy8">https://t.co/xa0TIyfAy8</a> <a href="https://t.co/MsVWGkU8wD">pic.twitter.com/MsVWGkU8wD</a>
—@redcrosscanadaJaw-dropping footage of the sky-high wildfires has Canadians glued to TVs, phones and tablets, watching as the devastation unfolds. At this point, while property damage is substantial, there have been no reported fatalities.
Troy Manfred is from Sudbury, Ont., but works in the oil patch. He told CBC News he had the shock of his life when he looked out his window in Fort McMurray yesterday.
"I was just folding some laundry and I just happened to peek out my balcony door to see all the town being surrounded by flames," he said. "So, I grabbed a suitcase, grabbed what I could, and I hit the road."
But not before he took this video.
Manfred made it out of Fort McMurray, and said he's going to "hold out for now, and see if I still have a home to go back to."
HOW TO HELP
The Canadian Red Cross launched an appeal for Fort McMurray relief donations on Tuesday night. Donations can be made on the Red Cross's website or by calling 1-800-418-1111. You can also text the word REDCROSS to 30333 to donate money to help those displaced by the fire.
In the meantime, Federal Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said Wednesday morning that the Canadian Armed Forces will make all assistance available to the Alberta government.
"Whatever is needed will be provided," Sajjan said during a teleconference call from Germany.
Ontario is also sending help, with Natural Resources minister Bill Mauro confirming Wednesday morning that 100 firefighters will be sent to Fort McMurray on Friday.