There are quite a few websites inviting people to tell the world what they’d grab if their house was on fire. Rick Labiuk of Fort Macleod found out Jan. 4 when a grass fire whipped into a wildfire came within a few yards of destroying his home.
As it was, he lost two shops, a truck, a fifth-wheel and an airstream trailer, along with other sheds, tools and antiques.
Labiuk says he didn’t have much time to decide on his grabs because the fire was travelling almost as fast as the 100 km/h wind. He took his insurance papers, deed to the property and one of his two dogs. He tried to take both but one of them was spooked by the whole scenario. Fortunately it survived the fire.
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His wife would have likely grabbed a few more things but she wasn’t at home when the evacuation order was given.
I saw the fire’s aftermath on Saturday. It was heartbreaking to speak with Sandy and Gord Hester, who lost their horse training arena, barns and corrals located just northwest of Fort Macleod. And it was amazing to see how fire fighters were able to save their home and many others by soaking them with water as the fire raged all around them.
A fire that same day in Nanton destroyed four homes and at least one business, Paradise Hill Farms. The greenhouse operation, which supplied tomatoes to Calgary Co-ops, was lost in the fire though the home owned by Tony and Karen Legault was saved.
Though many residents of the M.D. of Willow Creek saw the fire and felt its power last week, most of us can only imagine the fear of a wildfire nearing our homes and businesses.
The cleanup from the two fires is well underway. Just as neighbours pitched in to fight fire, so they are now helping each other clear the debris and begin anew. Plans have been made to collect donations to help those affected.
The Nanton Emergency Fund Society has set up a fire relief fund to provide for immediate needs of those who lost homes and property, as well as for reclamation and restoration.
Cheques made payable to NCEF Fire Relief can be sent to Box 1182, Nanton, Alta. T0L 1R0. The society can be contacted at 403-646-2804 or 403-646-3105.
Nanton Baptist Church and Nanton Ministerial Association are taking donations of household effects. Donors can contact Steve Pike at 403-646-2567.
The Stavely Stampeders 4-H Club has established a fund to look after veterinary costs for animals involved. Donations will augment free services already provided by the Nanton Veterinary Clinic.
In Fort Macleod, inquiries regarding donations can be made to Gordon MacIvor, manager of ATB Financial, at 403-553-7985.
