Mindy Francis purchased her home just two weeks ago. But two days ago she was forced to leave that new home behind, as she and tens of thousands of other Fort McMurray residents were ordered to evacuate due to a raging wildfire.
LIVE COVERAGE: Fort McMurray wildfires
Like so many others, Francis, her husband and their five kids packed up the car and began to head towards shelter in Sherwood Park, Alta., to stay with family – but what struck her the most was the eerie sense of calm amongst so much chaos.
“When we were leaving it was eerily calm – no one was panicking, no one was acting crazy, or rash,” she told Global News Thursday.
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“It was so calm – people were helping people, everyone was following traffic laws. I just wanted to remain calm for my kids. I just told myself trust the professionals; trust the men directing us and telling us where to go.”
READ MORE: Air Canada to offer partial refunds for people fleeing wildfire
Francis’ description paints quite a different picture than the images and videos that have been shared depicting narrow escapes from Fort McMurray as fires rage on.
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Timelapse video shows evacuee’s terrifying escape from Beacon Hill -
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Federal government will match all individual Red Cross donations made to support Fort McMurray fire victims -
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Horrific fatal crash on Alberta’s Highway 881 sparks blaze -
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Albertans flee wildfires overnight -
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Kent Hehr discusses federal response to Fort McMurray wildfire -
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Man records himself fleeing his home as wildfire bears down on his house -
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Rona Ambrose fights back tears as she discusses Fort Mac fire, gets hug from Justin Trudeau -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Fleeing residents describe ‘never-ending evacuation’ as fire grows -
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Conklin resident describes ‘insane’ scene as evacuees arrive: ‘The door never closes’ -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Raging flames force evacuees out of Anzac -
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Slight chance of showers only good news on the horizon for Fort McMurray -
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Edmonton EXPO Centre housing more than 900 Fort McMurray evacuees -
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Fort McMurray wildfire: Unpredictable weather forces evacuees in Anzac further south -
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Premier Notley surveys wildfire damage in Fort McMurray -
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Wildrose leader Brian Jean says he thinks Fort McMurray will bounce back from disaster -
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Officials in Alberta doing everything possible to tame devastating wildfire -
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Hotel at Fort McMurray airport’s old terminal catches fire -
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Viewer Video: Fire in High Level -
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Alberta government declares state of emergency due to wildfires -
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RCMP have deployed in excess of 300 officers to assist with Fort McMurray evacuation
However, despite the sheer size of the evacuation, no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far – as many have pointed out on Twitter.
But Francis’ isn’t surprised – this, she said, is a reflection of how strong the community is.
“So many people are so giving,” she said, explaining that her kids have been busy playing on the bouncy castle the people they are staying with rented for them. “If our home is safe and untouched I will do everything in my power to help those in need.”
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