Local disaster relief effort ramping up in light of Alberta wildfires

The local effort providing assistance to those affected by the Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire is ramping up, with both the Canadian Red Cross and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) responding.

Tomorrow, the MNR will be sending aerial firefighting resources from across Northern Ontario, leaving from Sudbury.

“We have 119 staff going to Alberta. That’s 100 firefighters and 19 supervisory staff,” said Jolanta Kowalski, communications services branch for the MNR.

The province of British Columbia has decided to not send aerial firefighting resources to Alberta because they are fighting wildfires of their own.

Kowalski said the province of Ontario will not be placed in danger as result of sending the assistance.

“We always make sure we are covered resource-wise in the province before we agree to anything out of province,” said Kowalski.

The local chapter of the Canadian Red Cross is responding to a call from the federal government to provide assistance.

Diane Lajambe, Canadian Red Cross district branch manager, said the specifics of the response are still be ing determined, but she knows cots and blankets will be sent out Monday.

“It’s a very well-coordinated event. It’s a Level 4 event in our disaster management terms. That’s big, obviously,” said Lajambe.

The Canadian Red Cross maintains a five-point scale for determining the response levels to disasters, with 5 being the most severe.

The human resources department for the Canadian Red Cross is currently in the process of determining how many local volunteers will be sent to Alberta to assist.

Lajambe expects volunteers will be required for months to come to respond to the needs of Fort McMurray residents.

The local chapter of the Canadian Red Cross is also currently involved in sheltering some 130 displaced residents from Kashechewan First Nation, due to flooding in that community.

The 130 displaced residents are being housed in Wawa, with additional residents being temporarily accommodated in Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls and Thunder Bay.

Lajambe said Sault residents have been attending the chapter’s Allard Street office in the last few days to offer donations.

She said donations of money are welcome in person, by phone and by text — and will do the most good in a disaster situation such as this.

“We will purchase clothing for them if they do not have clothes, but we do not accept clothing donations,” said Lajambe.

Mayor Christian Provenzano issued a news release offering moral support to those affected by the wildfires.