“A nightmare,” that is how Rhonda Dunkley describes being 2470 miles away from her family and home as wildfires continue to rage out of control in Fort McMurray.
The Belleville native was here in the city when the fires began four days ago and says she has had to watch and listen helplessly as her boyfriend, children and grandchildren fled the inferno that has now destroyed 100,000 hectares, including her home.
She describes her phone call with her daughter Kirsten when the blaze started moving closer to her home.
Dunkley describes what her family endured as they drove through the inferno to an evacuation camp in Edmonton.
The fiery scene outside Tyson Mitchell’s Fort McMurray home before they evacuated. (Photo: submitted)
Quinte News touched base with Trenton native Tyson Mitchell and his wife Andree-Anne again Friday who echoes the same horrific experience fleeing the city.
He says as far as they know their house is still intact.
Scene outside Tyson Mitchell’s work on Tuesday May 3, 2016. (Photo: submitted by Tyson Mitchell)
They have now moved from a camp in the Village of Boyle to their friend’s home in Edmonton. They are humbled by the amount of support shown from people around the world. $29 million has been donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
The Alberta government is providing emergency financial assistance to thousands of people who have been displaced by the Fort McMurray wildfire.
Premier Rachel Notley says a massive package of aid has been approved by her cabinet — which includes $1,200 per adult and $500 for each dependent.
She says it will cost the province $100-million.
Planes work to douse flames. (Photo: submitted by Tyson Mitchell)
