Cold Lake Ready to Help Fort Mac Fire Efforts

Mayor of Cold Lake, Craig Copeland, says the City has not yet been asked to take in evacuees from Fort McMurray, but are ready to help in any way possible. For now, a crew & pumper truck from Cold Lake Fire Rescue has been dispatched to Fort McMurray, says the Mayor.

“We’ve sent a pumper truck and five firefighters, we have others on standby,” Mayor Copeland says if the request comes in Cold Lake Fire Rescue will send more resources north. “We’ve had great response from our volunteer firemen and the people they work for to release their staff.” The Mayor explains the rule Cold Lake plays in the efforts, “municipalities will get the call from Alberta Emergency Management agency. They reach out and ask for whatever’s required from the municipalities, so we take our direction from that.”

Cold Lake’s Energy Centre housed evacuees from La Ronge, Saskatchewan last year when a wildfire over took the community. Mayor Copeland says the City has not been asked to take in evacuees at this time, and he doesn’t see it likely that they would. “Lac La Biche is probably the closest centre, right now, and then Edmonton is where a lot of the people, in the end, will go to.” Mayor Copeland has heard some talk of either the Butterdome or Rexall Place taking in Fort McMurray evacuees. “We’re there if required.”

Mayor Copeland says word is, 4-Wing Cold Lake, is also on standby, “the military is on standby, they’ll be getting dispatched if required.”

If you would like to donate to the Fort McMurray fire efforts the Redcross asks for cash donations. Items are not necessary at this time and although intentions are good, item donations would be a hindrance to the fire fighting efforts. To donate text 30333 with the message”redcross”.