The Woodridge Community Centre has been operating as the designated reception site for residents who have been ordered to evacuate in the RM of Piney as a result of ongoing wildfires.
The municipality declared a state of emergency at 6 p.m. on Monday due to a fire that started between Carrick and Badger on Saturday.
The fire had grown to over 1,000 hectares by Tuesday morning and continued to spread all day as a result of high winds, heat, and dry conditions.
Piney Councillor Ken Prociw has been stationed at the Woodridge Community Centre, helping residents who have been asked to leave their homes.
“We’ve had quite a few come because last night, they evacuated the south side of Florze between two of the municipal roads out there and this morning we evacuated Carrick, and then later this afternoon they gave the notice to evacuate the St. Labre area.”
Prociw says making sure everyone is accounted for is their top priority.
“We provided a place for the individuals to come down and register, so we know when they've left their homes, where they've gone, if we have to contact them and so forth. And if we have to provide them with any type of accommodation, or if they require a meal.”
He estimates roughly 30 people came through the centre on Tuesday.
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Most people have family or friends to stay with, but Prociw says they have also helped a few people get accommodations at the Vintage Lodge in Woodridge.
Food is another priority. Prociw says the community has really come together.
“We’ve had the members from the community club, they've been here all day, and myself and another member from the RM of Piney have been here, and we've been able to get food and supplies for our firefighters out in the field.” He adds, “Then we had food brought in here so anybody that evacuated could have a bite to eat and before they went on to where they were staying.”
A few of ladies in the community have been making meals, and Prociw says, “A number of people have been coming to the community club saying, ‘if you need a break, just tell us when to come and we're available.”
Prociw notes that the tight-knit nature of that area is both a blessing and a curse.
“It’s a smaller community, so you meet everybody at different functions. You know them on a first-name basis, and you know where they live, so you know which ones are going to be impacted the worst out of this fire.” He adds, “It's very tough on them, because they're leaving their property not knowing whether they're coming back to a home. That's the toughest part.”
Environment Canada is calling for showers on Wednesday with a high of 27 degrees. Prociew says they are also hoping for far less wind, so that firefighters can get everything under control.