Pat Brothers, reporting from Whitecourt:

I would like to begin by personally thanking all Valleyview residents, friends and families, for their resiliency during the recent wildfire events surrounding our community. In my 40 years with the Town of Valleyview, this is one of my proudest moments to have served you.

I’m currently on the ground in Whitecourt, at the reception centre, where we have had great success in receiving our evacuees. The Town of Whitecourt not only facilitated a well-organized and smooth operation, but they also welcomed our community with open arms and with an outpouring of donations. I would like to take this time to recognize and thank the Town of Whitecourt for their exceptional hospitality when our community needed it most.

I am located at the Allen and Jean Millar Centre, 58 Sunset Blvd., Whitecourt, where I will remain to welcome further evacuees from Valleyview. For those residents evacuating to other areas, please call in to register at (780) 778-3637.

I invite residents of the Town of Valleyview requiring more information to come to speak with me at the Centre or give me a call at (780) 552-3734.

For those individuals needing additional support at this time, you can contact the Service Canada Outreach Support Centre at 1-877-631-2657.

Thank you, Valleyview, for your patience. We can’t wait to welcome you home.