Brian Jean, leader of the Official Opposition Wildrose and Alberta MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin, confirmed to Global News his house was destroyed in the Fort McMurray wildfire.
“I understand, from speaking to my nephew about two hours ago, that my own home is in flames now. I’m afraid that huge parts of Fort McMurray may burn tonight and tomorrow,” Jean said Tuesday evening.
“I’m hoping for the best, but I’m expecting the worst.”
On Wednesday, the Wildrose party sent Global News a picture of what’s left of Jeans’ home.
Jean was driving to Fort McMurray Tuesday and had been taking phone calls from family and friends who were evacuated.
“The thing that needs to happen right now is people need to concentrate on evacuating. We have to convince all people to evacuate.”
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Where to go if you’ve been evacuated
Jean said some people may want to stay and protect their homes, but urged his constituents to remember what’s really important.
“This is my home. Properties don’t matter, lives are all that matters,” he said. “We don’t want to see any deaths here, or injuries, serious injuries and we need to do that before it’s too late.”
Watch below: Dramatic video from the Fort McMurray wildfire
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Video captures audio of emergency crews struggling to contain blaze -
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Dramatic video of Fort McMurray wildfire shared on social media as evacuations continue -
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Residents share dramatic video from Fort McMurray widlfire on social media -
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Caught on camera: Fort McMurray fire erupts behind Global News reporter -
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Raw: Fort McMurray hotel burns, aftermath of fire -
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Dramatic video captures Fort McMurray evacuees driving through wildfire smoke -
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‘The end of days’: passenger who just left Fort McMurray -
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Raw: Residents evacuate as wildfire rages in Fort McMurray -
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Fort McMurray wildfire within metres of Highway 63 -
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Wall of flames moves faster as Fort McMurray residents evacuate -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: More evacuation issued Tuesday afternoon as situation intensifies -
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Fort McMurray wildfire from Highway 63 north Tuesday afternoon -
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Fort McMurray fire intensifies Tuesday afternoon
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Evacuee goes into labour after fleeing home
Jean added that there is only one road north and south through Fort McMurray and stressed the importance of obeying the instructions of emergency officials. He said insurance will cover the losses of physical structures.
Watch below: Ongoing video coverage of the Fort McMurray wildfire.
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Fort McMurray residents battle thick smoke during evacuation -
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Fort McMurray resident: Evacuation has been ‘absolutely frantic’ -
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Dramatic moments from Fort McMurray wildfire -
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Edmonton welcoming wildfire evacuees from Fort McMurray -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Residents flee the community -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Centres open to evacuees -
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Dramatic video of Fort McMurray wildfire shared on social media as evacuations continue -
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Alberta communities step up to help Fort McMurray evacuees -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Homes, trailers destroyed by fire -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: 53,000 people forced to flee as fire enters community -
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How Fort McMurray wildfire quickly exploded Tuesday -
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Massive Fort McMurray wildfire forces thousands to evacuate -
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Residents share dramatic video from Fort McMurray widlfire on social media -
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Raw: Fort McMurray hotel burns, aftermath of fire -
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Largest mandatory fire evacuation in Alberta history underway in Fort McMurray -
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Dramatic video captures Fort McMurray evacuees driving through wildfire smoke -
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‘The end of days’: passenger who just left Fort McMurray -
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Prime burning conditions fuel Fort McMurray wildfire
“We can come back and we can rebuild. Fort McMurray is the greatest city in my opinion in the world,” he boasted. “We are strong, resilient people and we will do whatever is necessary to build our home back up to the standard, if not better than it was before.”
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Flames erupt along Highway 63 during live Global News broadcast
This wildfire is not the first Jean has had to deal with. Nearly five years ago, in May 2011, he recalled being in Slave Lake.
“I was actually the Member of Parliament for Slave Lake when that fire took place and this fire feels just like that. It’s going to be devastating and I’m very concerned for the people themselves.”
WATCH: Wildrose Leader Brian Jean speaks to Global News about losing his home to the Fort McMurray wildfire.
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