Fort McMurray, Alta., reflects two years after wildfire ravaged city

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — More than 500 families are living in newly built homes two years after a wildfire roared through parts of Fort McMurray, Alta.

The flames in May 2016 forced more than 80,000 people to flee the area for at least a month.

The fire destroyed more than 2,500 buildings, including many homes.

Fire Chief Jody Butz says mental health continues to be a big issue for the first responders who faced the wildfire that was dubbed “The Beast.”

But Butz says he believes his staff are in a much better place mentally now.

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He says the biggest change for him is knowing that people in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo have a lot more knowledge about emergency preparedness. (CFVR)

The Canadian Press