B.C. wildfires hit close to home for Alberta woman born in 100 Mile House

Over 200 wildfires had forced about 14,000 people to flee their homes in British Columbia as of Monday afternoon, including friends and family of Taber, Alta. resident Melissa Laukkanen.

“It’s been pretty frantic trying to figure out where everyone is at and where they are,” she said.

Laukkanen was born in 100 Mile House, B.C.  – which was put under an evacuation order over the weekend – and raised in Lac la Hache, B.C. She moved to southern Alberta 12 years ago with her mom and sister. Everyone else is back home, along with her heart.

“It’s hard because no matter where you’re from or what you’ve been through… wherever you’re from… it shapes you. It makes you who you are,” Laukkanen said.

Helplessly watching the wildfires spread, Laukkanen has been struggling to connect with loved ones, wishing there was a way to help.

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“To see everyone is distress and not be able to do anything… I think the best word to describe it is ‘lost.'”

B.C. declared a state of emergency on Friday after almost 140 new fires broke out. By Monday, crews were battling about 218 blazes.

Laukkanen said the situation is starting to remind her of the Fort McMurray wildfire disaster last year.

“I think it’s probably the same feeling I had when they had the big fires fires up north. I felt for them and it was hard to see so many people displaced,” she said.

“It’s weird to see your hometown be on fire.”

Watch below: Videos from Global News’ ongoing coverage of the 2017 B.C. wildfires.

2:26 B.C. Wildfires: Unpredictable situation as thousands flee fires

• B.C. Wildfires: Unpredictable situation as thousands flee fires
• Fort McMurray fire survivors come to aid of B.C. wildfire evacuees.
• B.C. Wildfires: Thousands of evacuees seek shelter in Kamloops
• New Brunswick firefighters head west to battle B.C. wildfire
• Ralph Goodale offers blunt advice for BC residents in or near a wildfire zone
• Environment Canada trying to analyze weather patterns in fight against BC wildfires: Goodale
• Goodale outlines the current state of B.C. wildfires – and how the federal government is responding
• Goodale explains role of Canadian Forces air assets in combating B.C. wildfires
• Fort McMurray donations for BC wildfire evacuees
• Latest on the wildfire situation around B.C.
• BC wildfires: state of emergency continues
• Dozens of individual wildfires threaten U.S. west coast
• Evacuees flee Williams Lake wildfires
• More evacuations ordered in the Cariboo region due to wildfires
• B.C. wildfires torch 1,500 hectares near Princeton
• Little Fort resident surveys wildfires as flames move closer
• School bus drivers on standby to transport wildfire evacuees

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