The Experience and Perceived Consequences of the 2016 Fort McMurray Fires and Evacuation
Abstract
Few studies have examined the scope of the subjective experience during and after a
natural disaster. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of persons affected by
the wildfires and evacuation of Fort McMurray in 2016. The objectives were to document
(1) the experience of the evacuation, and (2) the biopsychosocial consequences of the
wildfires as perceived by evacuees from Fort McMurray 3 months and 3 years after
evacuation. This study included two data collections, one from 393 evacuees 3 months
after evacuation using an online questionnaire, and the other from31 participants (among
those who participated in the 3-month evaluation) interviewed by telephone 3 years
after evacuation. Eight themes describing the evacuation experience emerged from the
qualitative analysis: the preparation for evacuation, the perceived traumatic nature of
the evacuation, problems encountered while on the move, assistance received and
provided, vulnerability conditions, presence of physical discomfort, relocation and no
problem/no response. Seven categories of negative consequences emerged: material
and financial loss, emotional/mental health disorders, cognitive impairments, behavioral
changes, spiritual/existential reflections, social alterations, and physical conditions. Four
categories of positive consequences emerged: posttraumatic growth, resilience/absence
of consequences, altruism and community cohesion. This study showed a wide range
of perceived consequences of fires and evacuations by Fort McMurray residents. The
results highlight the importance of tailoring responses to the needs of evacuees and
providing assistance to victims over a long period of time.
Auteurs : Thériault, L., Belleville, G., Ouellet, M-C., et Morin, C. M.
