Officials at Athabasca County are taking a wait-and-see approach in terms of helping out with evacuees from Wabasca after wildfires forced the evacuation of the community at 8:44 p.m. May 29.
County manager Ryan Maier provided an update to councillors during their regular meeting May 30.
He said the county has pledged support in providing staff and resources at the evacuation reception centre in Calling Lake.
"But in terms of having an actual reception centre here (in Athabasca), we are limited in terms of our facilities because the Athabasca Regional Multiplex will be booked for the next little while," Maier said. "I also contacted Aspen View Public Schools to check on the dismantling of the old (Edwin Parr Composite) school, but they are doing hazardous materials abatement as of right now, so that's not an option, either."
He said that unfortunately, they just do not have anything in the community they can use at the moment.
"But we will offer our help in resources from a staff perspective, as well as from disaster social services or whatever is convenient for our neighbouring municipalities," Maier said. "Our seasonal staff have been taking supplies up to Calling Lake and will continue to do so. As well, (emergency services director) Ron Jackson and (Family and Community Support Services manager) Debbie Wood were up there to offer assistance."
Coun. Dennis Willcott suggested offering up campgrounds in the area for anyone who needed them.
"Some of them do have campers," Willcott said. "There is nobody at Jackfish Lake right now, so we may have enough room for them to set up."
Coun. Warren Griffin asked if it was possible to offer reception areas in some of the rural community halls.
"We haven't really looked at it yet, but it would become problematic for us in terms of staffing resources," Maier said. "We have had enough challenges when we have operated as a reception centre from one site. If we were to operate multiple sites and try to staff it, it would create some challenges."
Reeve Larry Armfelt said there is no reason why any decision made is based on what's happening in one particular day.
"The next day, you could have a fire spring up in Athabasca County," Armfelt said. "We could have allowances for some of this stuff, but nothing is written in stone."
Millview Recreation Complex made available
The Village of Boyle has also been contacted by the county about dedicating resources, and chief administrative officer Charlie Ashbey said the arena will be available if needed.
"I also contacted the curling rink as well," Ashbey said. "We do not have a lot of supplies in our community, but the county did say that staff will be available to help us if required."
At this point, he said he's hopeful things will turn out OK.
"We will still be sitting here and waiting," Ashbey said. "When there is a need, things spring into action really quick. You just get the word out."
