Residents of Enterprise were forced to evacuate on Aug. 13, packing what belongings they could, as wildfires threatened communities across the South Slave.
Hours later the hamlet of about 100 people, nestled north of the Alberta border, was consumed by a fast-moving blaze that destroyed the vast majority of local structures, according to resident Tammy Neal.
SA国际影视传媒淚 found out tonight there were over 30 homes lost and about six businesses,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淥nly about 13 homes still stand along with maybe three businesses.SA国际影视传媒�
NealSA国际影视传媒檚 family, friends and neighbours are SA国际影视传媒渃oping and grievingSA国际影视传媒� after learning their homes were destroyed in the blaze.
SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think we are really managing yet,SA国际影视传媒� said Neal. SA国际影视传媒淲e are coping and grieving, feeling for our Enterprise friends who also lost their homes and who are displaced. ISA国际影视传媒檓 also in shock and saddened for our community that is only recognizable by the few homes and businesses that are left standing.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚 believe everyone needs to hold on to hope and faith that we will get through this once weSA国际影视传媒檝e all had time to process the reality of this surreal situation and figure out what the next steps are,SA国际影视传媒� she continued.
Neal has lived in Enterprise for more than 16 years and served as the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 senior administrative officer from 2016 to 2022.
Describing the community, Neal said, SA国际影视传媒淚t is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Like any community, people butt heads at times, but at the end of the day they come together for celebrations and to support each other through difficult times.
SA国际影视传媒淚 really enjoyed my job and the residents,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淓nterprise has so much potential to grow and prosper and still does, despite this tragedy.SA国际影视传媒�
When residents were told to flee, Neal was at Mackenzie Cabins, her recently opened business located just south of the Deh Cho Bridge, 130 km from Enterprise.
SA国际影视传媒淢y daughter texted me pictures of the smoke around lunch timeSA国际影视传媒� it concerned me because the smoke was different than any other smoke ISA国际影视传媒檝e seen in my life,SA国际影视传媒� she recalled.
SA国际影视传媒淢y husband said when the smoke is low, the fire is close. We discussed going to gather some important belongings, but the road was closed. Next thing I knew there was an evacuation order and we were really helpless. We had no time to go home and pack anything, even if the road did open. All we could do is wait and hope for the best.
SA国际影视传媒淲e hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 heard a thing for a few days because the community was evacuated an no one was left,SA国际影视传媒� she added.
Once the road opened, NealSA国际影视传媒檚 husband went to see if the family home had survived.
SA国际影视传媒淚t didnSA国际影视传媒檛,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
The images he took of the wildfireSA国际影视传媒檚 trail of destruction were SA国际影视传媒渄evastating,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Rubble, piles of ash and the warped shells of vehicles mark the spots where homes and businesses once stood.
SA国际影视传媒淭here is nothing left but ashes and metal. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 heart wrenching to see years of hard work burned to rubble,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are not the only ones who lost our homes, there were many others, including my daughter.
SA国际影视传媒淭he worry is not over, my son and family are evacuated from Hay River and we are waiting to hear what happens with that fire,SA国际影视传媒� added.
With Enterprise evacuees spread across B.C. and Alberta, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help them rebuild their lives.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat do these people have to go home to? Where will they go? How will they start over? They need something to start with,SA国际影视传媒� it states. SA国际影视传媒淚 realize that times are tough everywhere right now, but even a dollar can make a difference because every dollar adds up.SA国际影视传媒�
Displaced residents are being asked to keep all their receipts; register as evacuees with the GNWT and call their cable, internet and insurance providers to explain the situation, according to an Aug. 20 news release from the Hamlet of Enterprise.
The municipality is also urging people to watch out for scammers who SA国际影视传媒渒now of our situation.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淒o SA国际影视传媒榥otSA国际影视传媒� click a link you do not know,SA国际影视传媒� states the release. SA国际影视传媒淒o SA国际影视传媒榥otSA国际影视传媒� answer texts or email if unsure who it truly is. If an email or text says they are your bank or insurance company and youSA国际影视传媒檙e not sure SA国际影视传媒� call the bank or insurance company phone number you already know or Google the business phone line.SA国际影视传媒�
The hamlet is asking residents to join a private WhatsApp group for Enterprise residents called Hamlet of Enterprise.
The news release came after the GNWT declared a territorial state of emergency as more than 200 wildfires burned across the territory.
