Smoke, thunderstorms and wildfire anniversary may trigger anxiety for Fort McMurray residents

Sandra Legacy is thinking about taking hervacationin May so she will not be in Fort McMurraywhen the city marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfire.

She is even dreadingthe coming weeks when smoke from forest fires in neighbouring provinces or the Northwest Territories drifts into Fort McMurray.

"I cannot deal with it," she said.

Legacy fled the flames, which soon destroyed herhome. She was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I cannot deal with anything emitting smoke. The other day my neighbour was burning cardboard. I saw the smoke. I went out right away and asked, 'What are you burning?' "

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Legacy's reaction doesn't surprise Jane Barter, thepsychosocial coordinator with the municipality's Social Recovery Task Force.

"Somebody may be triggered by the smell. Somebody may be triggered by sight. Somebody else may be triggered just by speaking about the event or what has happened in the May 3rd wildfire.

"So our biggest message is that what you are feeling is OK."

Barter said when the municipalitywas conducting controlled burns during the winter to clear dead trees, anumber of residents called to complain.

Coping mechanisms

LindaSovdi, health and wellness manager at Some Other Solutions, a Fort McMurray non-profit crisis and counselling service, said summer stormscould trigger anxietyas well.

"We got incredible electric storms. They're beautiful. They're dramatic," Sovdi said.

But"this year you are going to have people more skittish."

Sovdioffered some strategies people can use to cope with stress and anxiety:

• Admit you are having a tough time
• Remind yourself events like this have happened in the past and you've been fine
• Talk to a spouse, friend, therapist or support worker
• Remind yourself about activities (music, exercise, breathing) that have calmed you down in the past and practise them

"Our brains are powerful and our bodies remember when we have gone through things," Sovdi said. "You need those things that are reminders that you will be OK."

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