Motorists flee Fort McMurray May 3. (Photo by Toby Shattler)
The recent wildfire crisis in northern Alberta is something La Ronge Ice Wolves forward Toby Shattler knows all too well about.
The Fort McMurray product was forced to grab a bag and head south with his family when flames started burning up his community.
“Me and my mom were driving and there were 100 foot flames behind us, beside us. It was just black smoke everywhere,” said Shattler. “There were just so many vehicles trying to get out of town at once, you just couldn’t move.”
Shattler doesn’t know the state of his home he was forced to flee, but says he’s staying with family right now in Edmonton.
“Obviously, there’s no place like your own house, but we’re pretty lucky to have family,” said Shattler. “I grew up playing hockey in Fort Saskatchewan — that’s just 10 minutes away — so I get to see my friends almost every day. We’ve got it pretty good compared to a lot of people.”
Shattler also adds that he would like to thank people back in La Ronge that were calling him and sending messages to see if he was alright.