ARMSTRONG WILD FIRE - from blue skies to EVACUATE NOW - please read caption

Описание: PLEASE READ

Currently as I write this, I am still here in Thunder Bay. Our house still stands for now. We are not in the clear yet, but miraculously 3 fires merged into one travelling straight for Armstrong. With less than 10km of our house, it broke off into two different directions before hitting Armstrong. Currently, active fires are still north, south, and west of Armstrong. There were two MNR crews sent to set up water sprinklers in the town tonight, as well as 45 volunteers from the community to help. There was a couple of days where we were not sure if we had a house or not to go back to, and still don’t know what the final outcome will be. It is a very surreal feeling. I’ve never had to think about the what ifs in this scenario. We just want to go home. As I type this, I’ve also just learned that a few cottage communities south of Armstrong are gone. Places I’ve been to, places I’ve driven by hundreds of times, places that made the area so unique and beautiful… just gone. It’s hard to believe. It really is. The feeling of helplessness has never been so strong, knowing it could still happen to us. I really cannot do a thing to help. Just pray. It’s a miracle people were even able to get to Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation to begin with. It could have been gone just like the groups of cottages 15km south of us. In this moment, I can’t help but think “why us?” In a manner that we were spared, but we really haven’t been yet. Another thing I’m thinking about is how I’ve only been in this community for under a year. The sentimental value of this place means so much to me in such a little time. My daughter was born in Thunder Bay and brought back to this little town. A town of roughly 700 people. I’ve had bears in my driveway, lynx in my backyard, a cow and calf moose 2km down the road just 3 days prior to this, and northern lights from my kitchen window. My two y/o son recognizes this as home. I was never going to be here long term due to my job, but it’s made lasting memories already. To go even more in depth, I cannot imagine what the locals who have been here their whole life must be feeling. I cannot fathom what that would be like. For their sake, I am truly hopeful that Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation will be saved. There’s a lot of people risking their lives to try their best at this outcome we all so desperately want. I want to go back to playing in a kiddy pool with my toddler like I was 3 days ago in our front yard before the heat wave hit.
Incase you can’t tell, there’s a lot of emotion behind these words and like I said, I haven’t even lived in Armstrong for a full year yet. This is an amazing community and like any northern community, it is a very tight and cozy little town. This event will make that even bigger and brighter than ever before. Even though I know I won’t be in Armstrong forever, I pray for their sake they can see this through and celebrate saving their community one day. There is just so much unknown right now, it’s almost hard to put to words because I’m so afraid of the update that could destroy us all. For now, there is hope. Water sprinklers are being installed on houses, and there is rain in the forecast for Friday. Please pray for this community and every other community going through this exact same experience in these northern parts of Ontario. It’s not fun. It’s scary and sad. If you’ve read all this, thank you. I will be posting another update on where you can donate to these communities, especially those who did lose everything.

Thanks

Zack