Province recognizes bravery and sacrifice of 'wildfire heroes'

Some days, life since the wildfire has been tough for Fort McMurray fire chief Darby Allen.

But Monday was not one of those days, he said, after the Alberta government honoured him and other wildfire responders in the rotunda of the Alberta legislature.

"I've had some tough days," Allen told a group of reporters. "Although I see the work (to fight the wildfire)was a success, sometimes I still feel guilty.

"Good days and bad days. Today is a good day."

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Several government, municipal and relief organizations were honoured or recognized for their work.

The wildfire, nicknamed "The Beast," hit Fort McMurray on May 3. It chased more than 80,000 people from their homes, causing one of Canada's largest evacuations.

At its peak, the fire moved at 30 to 40 metres per minute and was so large the smoke was visible from orbiting satellites.

The fire destroyed more than 2,700 homes and apartments, tooksix weeks to tame, and in the end burned589,552 hectares.

Almost six months after itraged through Canada'soilsandscapital, the wildfire is stillsmoulderingand will continue to do so into the winter, the province said last week.

After receiving the award, Allensaid everyone who fought the fire or took care of evacuees shares the honour.

"We certainly want to appreciate the effort from the hundreds of people and the thousands of people that couldn't be here today," Allen said.

"If I could take a little piece of that certificate and medallion and give it to them, I would gladly do that."

One of those volunteers who couldn't attend the ceremony was Syncrude firefighter Chris Strong.

He and about 20 others gathered Monday to watch a livestream of the award ceremony from a boardroom at Wood Buffalo municipal hall.

Back in May, even though his company sent him home four days into battling the wildfire, Strong stayed and volunteered at the emergency evacuation centre.

"I decided I didn't want to go home," Strong said. "I was born in Fort McMurray. This is where I came from."