Former Sask. resident recounts escape from Drayton Valley wildfire

Kim Olsen was one of thousands who were forced to flee Drayton Valley, Alta., last week as a massive wildfire was on track to hit the town.

She’s originally from Saskatoon, but has lived in Drayton Valley for just over a year now.

While she was prepared to leave, she says everything happened quickly.

“It’s been a little bit stressful, but relatively calm. Drayton did a really good job funneling us out in an appropriate manor. It was a slow process, but a safe process,” she said.

“We were prepared because (the fire) had been around the southeast side of town for a number of days. I had already pre-packed and been prepared that it could come closer to town,” Olsen added. “On the day, though, it was fairly short notice. We got an alarm saying, ‘Be ready to go’ and then 30 minutes later it was time to get out.”

Aside from living in Drayton Valley, Olsen noted she has previously lived in other places throughout Alberta over the years.

Over the course of her time living in the province, she said the fires we’re seeing now have been unlike anything she’s ever seen before.

“We’ve lived in Alberta for many years and I’ve never seen anything like this period,” she said. “It’s crazy. Everything is burning.”

For the first night of their evacuation, she and her husband stayed with a friend who lived 45 minutes from the evacuation zone. She is now staying in Lloydminster with family and doesn’t know when she’ll leave.

Drayton Valley is still under an evacuation order despite rumours popping up over the weekend that it was safe to return to the town.

While it’s a concerning situation, Olsen is just happy she and her family are safe.

“We do own a property there and you do feel a bit helpless – but on the same note, life can be worse. We’re fine, we’re safe (and) we’re out,” she said. “Worst-case scenario, we lose the house. But my whole family is safe and that’s all that’s important to me. The rest is just extra.”

On Monday, the Alberta government didn’t provide a specific update on the wildfires when it comes to communities like Drayton Valley.

It did say there were 95 wildfires burning in the province and 27 of those were out of control.