Kindness from “small towns” helps people who don’t know when they can go home
When people left their homes near Centennial Lake because of a fire, it seemed like the trouble would be over in a few days. But many of the people who had to leave say that the gratitude they feel for the firefighters and their neighbors makes up for any trouble.
Officials say the fire in the town west of Ottawa is “being held,” but it is not out.
- A wildfire in eastern Ontario has forced more people to leave their homes.
- Officials say the forest fire west of Ottawa has been put out.
The Township of Greater Madawaska said on Wednesday that people like Jacob Nabi still won’t be able to go home until at least Friday.
Nabi, who has been staying with his partner’s parents, said, “Honestly, we have a place to stay and a roof over our heads, so we’re just glad everyone is working, and we just hope the firefighters are OK.”
When the order to evacuate was given, the couple wasn’t home, so they couldn’t even grab a change of clothes or a toothbrush.
“Nothing. We’ve got everything at that home. We both work remotely. Our computers are in there, so we’ve had to take some time off work.”
Watch: Residents and people with cottages talk about the evacuation.
Fire in the ‘clean-up phase
People who had to leave their homes got some good news from the township Wednesday night: “Fire crews are getting ready to clean up the burned area.”
The update said that emergency teams will keep working over the next few days, and people should still stay away from the area.
The fire is still being looked into by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in Ontario.
Gail Holtzhauer, who runs Snider’s Tent and Trailer Park, said that her property, which has tents and a boat launch to the still-burning island, has been used as a sort of staging area. But she said that she was not at all upset.
Holtzhauer said, “We should all be grateful for the great things we have.” “Look at the ministry, the helicopters, and everything else. It’s all done by the government, and I don’t think people appreciate the government enough.”
People like Judy MacPherson have noticed that Holtzhauer and her daughters have been “feeding the fire crew.”
Then there’s evacuee Nancy McCauley, who has been feeling the community spirit from her cousin’s house in Arden, Ontario.
“A lot of homes have been opened to people,” she said. “Everyone is ready to help. People have asked to stay or eat with us in so many different ways.”
McCauley told her that even though the time away from home is longer than she had expected, it’s nothing a load of laundry can’t fix.
Holtzhauer said that people should be “proud of what we’ve done.”
“That’s exactly what Madawaska is all about.”