Weyburn has become a temporary home to around 80 evacuees from the Creighton and Flin Flon areas.
Read more: Weyburn, other communities welcome wildfire evacuees
After leaving their home in Creighton under the direction of the SPSA, Amanda MacQuarrie's family arrived at the Ramada hotel in Weyburn over the weekend.
"We were told by the Town of Creighton that we would have a hotel and meals if we went to Weyburn," she shared. "I was working in Flin Flon for a couple extra days helping out, and then I just brought my family here when the SPSA called."
"Our homes are still in danger as the fire is spreading towards us."
MacQuarrie said some have remained behind, and they have been receiving updates through social media. "There's a lot of ground crews still there helping out and a bunch of our friends are there helping out as well."
With seven children from two to 20 years old, five of whom are with them here in Weyburn, she noted, "We're just trying to do things to keep the kids occupied here. It definitely does not feel like a vacation at all. There's a lot of stress involved here. We are kind of keeping the little kids out of the loop as much as we can because they don't really understand the extent of this just yet. As for the older kids, they are unfortunately getting updated even about our families, homes that have been destroyed, and stuff like that."
"It's been very challenging for us. It feels like losing a family member right now and not being able to do anything. It's quite devastating just not being able to do anything or having that little bit of regret where we just wish we could help and do more."
The family's accommodations have kept them near some of their other community members at the Ramada, and they've been getting check-ins from Darren Grant, who serves on the Creighton Town Council.
"He's also one of our neighbours, so super grateful for him and his family and their support, just even emotionally, being available for us has meant a lot to us," she shared.
"Just seeing other members of our community in town, seeing familiar faces and being able to talk, on a relatable, 'they actually understand where we're coming from', level. So it's always nice to run into a fellow person from our town."
She shared that she was familiar with the Weyburn area as they used to live in Creelman.
"Weyburn has been very welcoming to our family here," MacQuarrie expressed. "There is quite a bit to do in the community just to keep your brain preoccupied."
MacQuarrie shared her appreciation for Weyburn.
"I just wanted to say how thankful I am that we are given an opportunity to have a place like a roof over our heads and food in our bellies, and that's something that we don't have to worry about financially, and I'm just super grateful and I just want to say thank you. As hard as it is right now, it's comforting to know that there are people out there that are helping each and every one of us."
