Aftermath of Fort Mac

The news media are full of the ongoing Fort McMurray Story. The lives of nearly 90,000 have been disrupted when an entire city was evacuated due to a wildfire that is still growing. Remarkable that to date only two young people died as a result of a collision escaping the fire.

Today the long-term effects of these fires hit me when I was moved to examine the possibility of a travel to Alaska. The majority of the highways heading North are closed due to fire dangers.

The fallout due to insurance pay-outs will affect everyone as companies recoup their losses. As flames reach the oil patch itself an industry already under stress will face further shut-downs effecting the overall Canadian economy and therefore the value of the Canadian Dollar making travel abroad more expensive.

Highway closures will make vacation travel difficult to plan and effect a growing industry on both sides of the border for this travel season and possibly those to come.

The lives of thousands have been disrupted and there will be economic as well as mental and physical health issues for years to come. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods and will need to start over whether or not they return to Fort Mac.