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editorial

An area devastated by a wildfire is seen in an aerial view in Fort McMurray, Alta.Jason Franson/Reuters

On Monday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley delivered more bad news to the evacuated residents of Fort McMurray. The air quality in the abandoned city is so poor, it is quite literally off the scales. The normal range is one to 10, with one being best and 10 representing the most unsafe conditions.

On Monday morning, Fort Mac registered a 38.

At this point, the people of Fort McMurray are used to extremes. Two weeks ago, they escaped through corridors of flame and smoke as forest fires ate away the edges of their city. More than 2,400 buildings, most of them private homes, were destroyed.

Now the city is virtually empty, its residents relocated to evacuation centres or the homes of friends and family. It isn't easy for them, but they aren't entirely alone, thanks to donations and government financial support. Some of the oil companies that employ them are continuing to pay wages, too. On Monday, workers began flying back into the oil sands in order to get the crude flowing again.

The Alberta government is doing a reasonable job of giving the evacuees the one thing they need most, right now: credible information. Premier Notley has been present and available. Residents can take part in telephone town halls to get the latest news. The Municipal Affairs department has released a satellite map of the city that lets the evacuees see precisely where the damage is, and whether their homes are among the ruins.

The city is slowly coming back together, thanks to the heroic efforts of workers breathing through face masks. The power grid is back on, the water treatment plant is online, and natural gas service has been restored to about half the city. The hospital is being cleaned. But it could be weeks before anyone goes home, and the catastrophic air quality and the constant threat of more fires may further delay the return.

The rest of Canada can only imagine the heartbreak and frustration felt by Fort McMurray residents. For the vast majority of the evacuees, their homes are intact but still out of reach. For those who have to rebuild, an even longer road lies ahead. Their patience is remarkable. This story isn't over yet, but its lesson is already clear: When the worst happens, Canadians are always at their best.

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