FROM A1 WILDFIRE
were thankful for the comfort centre that has been set up in neighbouring Yarmouth County.
In the first couple of days after they were forced to leave their home in Eel Bay (formerly Cape Negro) they had stayed close by in the Barrington area, availing themselves to the services at the Barrington Lions Club where evacuees were being tended to by caring volunteers.
But they also wanted to find an escape from the ash and smoke so they headed to Yarmouth.
Thinking that more people might make this same trek – particularly if they’re having to stay in hotels and other accommodations in Yarmouth – the town says it was decided to set up a comfort centre at the Yarmouth Fire Hall, located at 221 Pleasant St.
It will operate 24-7. “For people, even if they just want to come for a brief visit, to get a snack, they can. We’ve also got personal care stuff and toiletries and things they may need,” says Mike Carter, the town’s communications officer. “It’s not just to come and stay overnight, but you can do that if you need to. People should feel welcome to come and if they have pets, they’re welcome too.”
Kennels have been brought to the comfort centre.
Volunteers welcoming and assisting evacuees are grateful to be able to help.
“You want to do something to help others, this is one way of helping,” says volunteer Janie Harding. “For me, it’s very important to be able to talk with other people. To give them a hug. And if they want me to pray for them, I will.”
CHURCH CO-ORDINATING LOGISTICS
The Yarmouth Wesleyan Church is co-ordinating the comfort centre’s logistics and donations so this task doesn’t fall to the Yarmouth Fire Department in case its firefighters and volunteers are needed to help in the wildfire cause.
Pastor David Hockley says the community has been reaching out wonderfully to help others in need.
“People have been asking how they can help. We’ve got a long list of people in the queue just waiting to be contacted for whatever is needed. Some are making meals, some are dropping off kids’ stuff, clothing,” he says. “It’s open 24-7. The idea is that there will always be food. There will always be people. And we’re trying to keep as much supplies on hand as we can.”
There are also cots if people need a place to sleep.
Yarmouth Fire Chief Mike Deveau says they’re pleased the fire hall’s upstairs can be offered as a comfort centre to those needing it. There is an elevator located at the rear entrance.
“We feel very fortunate to be able to offer the service. The local community has mobilized pretty heavily to bring food and other resources,” he says. “We’re trying to draw as many of the residents who are capable and want to come this way. We can we can offer some basic amenities, some care items, some places to sleep and there’s a lot of food.”
Hockley says the comfort centre’s volunteers are also there if people just need to talk.
All of this was very much appreciated by Gledhill and Grime who are not originally from Shelburne County. Yes, their accents give them away. They’re from England but were drawn to southwestern Nova Scotia last June.
They’ve been working on beautifying their property, saying they love to garden. While gardening this past weekend, they were keeping an eye on the smoke from the wildfire on the horizon.
“We spent Saturday and Sunday watching it track backward and forwards. During the night you could see the glow. But we were quite confident we were well away from it,” Gledhill says. “The smoke was not blowing our way, so as far as we could see, it was just something happening in the distance.”
“We were in brilliant sunshine,” Grime says.
Laughs Gledhill, “We were gardening and everything, being a bit naïve.”
But the situation turned serious and by Monday they were under a mandatory evacuation order. By then there was no power – it was turned off in the area for safety reasons – and it was raining ash.
They packed some items
– a process they should have started much earlier, they offer as advice to others – grabbed their dog, loaded up their vehicle, and decided to bring their trailer.
But a problem, Gledhill says, is they packed for a couple of days and don’t have enough supplies to last them if the evacuation period is prolonged.
STILL OUT OF CONTROL
On Wednesday, the wildfire in Shelburne County was still burning out of control. Its size had been adjusted to 17,186 hectares mid-day after more accurate measurements were taken. The fire is on record as being the largest wildfire in Nova Scotia history.
Firefighters on scene Wednesday included more than 70 from DNRR and more than 40 volunteer/ municipal firefighters. One helicopter, two water bombers from Newfoundland and Labrador and eight airplanes from New Brunswick that disperse a mix of water and fire retardant were also part of the attack.
The Shelburne County couple describes leaving their home and watching others on their road packing up too as they drove by. Finding fuel was a challenge and they regretted not having ensured they already had enough prior to the evacuation order.
In the moment your mind is so distracted, they say. In hindsight, there’s much they would have done differently.
“We really did feel we’d be back in a couple of days,” Gledhill says. They know now they should have known better.
And so comfort centres, like the new one in Yarmouth, are very important. Like other evacuees, the couple expresses profound appreciation for those who are helping those who have been displaced.
“It’s good to know that there are people out there who will help,” says Grime. “It means the world to us.”
“The longer we’re away, the more we realize we don’t have the financial resources to keep going,” adds Gledhill. “This is fabulous. It’s so kind. So helpful.”