Fort Mac returnees share stories of coming home
Nearly a month after wildfire forced the city's evacuation, this week marks the beginning of an emotional return home for an estimated 20,000 residents.
Nearly a month after wildfire forced the city's evacuation, an estimated 20,000 Fort McMurray residents began the trek home June 1.
Everyone is getting to work, amazingly. Even lawn mowers. People are like 'I want my lawn back to normal, I want to do my neighbours before he gets back,' even.- Rob Rice, co-owner of a Home Hardware Building Centre in Fort McMurray
The Current speaks with several evacuees who recently returned to Fort McMurray and get a sense of some of the emotional reactions playing out across the city.
It's almost eerie [ . . . ] to come back and realize your bread was still on the counter, open, because you were ready to make supper. Everything is just in a standstill, but you've got a smell of smoke which brings you back to the whole day.- Amanda Ferguson, returnee
- Rob Rice, co-owner of a Home Hardware Building Centre in Fort McMurray.
- Amanda Ferguson returned home for the first time since the wildfires.
- Chris Vandenbreekel, news director at the Fort McMurray radio station Mix 103.7.
This segment was produced by The Current's Marc Apollonio and Michael O'Halloran.