Do I Rebuild Do I Leave

After living through a devastation of a house fire, or a village fire, one is going to experience mental and emotional anguish of the entire ordeal; the loss of property, home, and belongings. They may now find themselves at the point of having to make a huge decision to whether they will stay or leave their community.

Do I re-build — do I move on and start fresh elsewhere?

Taking into consideration the feelings of family members. How much of an attachment does one have to the community? Is there the possibility that having a livelihood is still maintainable, or would it be the right time for a change — restart elsewhere?

Is it considered an unsafe area now; perhaps water contamination! Do you have fire insurance to rely on in order to rebuild; government assistance?

Will the emotional and mental scars be to much to bare everyday for myself and my family by staying? What decisions are my neighbours and friends making?

Those with children need to take into consideration (if school house burnt down) the education of their kids. How long will it take for a new school to be built, will my kids do well with home-schooling, or long bus rides to a different school?

When natural disasters impact large communities, wide-ranging public debates can arise regarding whether or not entire communities should take on the exorbitant costs of rebuilding.

If majority are going to stay and rebuild, what will their friends and neighbours think of me and mine, if we choose not to remain, not to assist in the rebuilding of our town.

One can put a lot of self-guilt upon themselves through their thinking process. But the reality and truth of the matter is — one has to make the best choice they can for their family! No one should judge them either way!

Two years after the 2016 record-setting fire of Fort Mcmurray, they are still in recovery mode, with the majority of residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged still displaced. (David Thurton of CBC news May 1, 2018)

Twenty percent of Fort Mcmurray residents lost their homes. Twenty four hundred buildings lost, twenty five thousand saved. According to author Josh Dehaces “A few structures on the edge of downtown were lost, but the vast majority was saved. Alberta premier Rachel Notley said that about ninety percent of the city remains intact, including the hospital and all schools.

The update of July 1, 2021 fire of Lytton BC confirmed that ninety percent of the entire town was burned, with serious structural damage. The centre of town had gone up in flames with many people’s homes gone.

The devastation of Lytton fire being so much more extreme than Fort Mcmurray. But still, some made the decision after being evacuated to other towns from Fort Mcmurray-not to return.

For many recovering emotionally after a residential fire — experience several stages of adjustment, including shock, anger, depression, and hopelessness.

Loosing your home to a fire involves not only loss of residents, but also sentimental values. Such as family photos, treasured monuments, and important files-documents.

Especially in the case of the Lytton and Fort Mcmurray fires. Residents had no time to even comprehend what was happening, never mind grabbing supplies etc.

Most importantly though, the home is ones place of security, comfort, and safety. After experiencing such a hair-raising disaster the normality of life is significantly disrupted.

Loved ones have been lost in such horrific fires, including four-legged companions. Causing the devastation to be that much more intense and traumatizing.

So for many different reasons some people stay and some cannot. Whatever decision one makes in this regard-it’s not going to be an easy decision by any means. We all must do our part to respect and support whether people remain or leave.

By Brenda Lee Lord-Hinger

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