Canadian carriers pitch into help Fort McMurray residents

Earlier today a massive wildfire took shape in Fort McMurray, Alberta, a town of over 60,000 residents. By 6:30pm, the city’s mayor issued a mandatory city-wide evacuation order, forcing residents to leave their homes in a matter of hours.

In an effort to help those impacted by the emergency stay in touch with family and friends, Telus is offering free calls and texts until May 17th for all Fort McMurray customers.

Fort Mac customers, stay safe & connected: we’re waiving all additional call & text charges through May 17 #YMMfire

— TELUS (@TELUS) May 4, 2016

Telus is also extending this to customers that do not have a cellphone. The carrier states, “Fort Mac: need to connect, but don’t have a cellphone? Dial ‘0’ from a TELUS payphone in the area for free calls in Canada.”

Koodo is offering the same treatments as Telus. The sub-brand is waiving calls and texts until May 17.

Please connect with your loved ones in Fort McMurray. All calls and texts to and from the area are free until May 17th #FortMacFire #ymmfire

— Koodo (@koodo) May 4, 2016

Rogers and Fido have decided to cut the cost of calls and texts to/from Fort McMurray. Rogers has also donated $100,000 to help those in need.

Waiving the cost of calls and texts to/from Fort McMurray to help our customers stay safe and in touch with loved ones #FortMacFire

— Fido (@Fidomobile) May 4, 2016

Waiving the cost of calls and texts to/from Fort McMurray to help our customers stay safe and in touch with loved ones #FortMacFire

— Rogers (@Rogers) May 4, 2016

Shaw has also come forward in its own way by opening up Shaw Go WiFi to all residents north of Edmonton.

In order to assist with communications, we have opened Shaw Go WiFi to all residents north of Edmonton. Stay safe. #ymmfire

— Shaw Communications (@ShawInfo) May 4, 2016

Bell has donated $100,000 to help those in need. In addition, Bell has given free calls, texts and a bonus 10GB data to those impacted.

Bell donates $100K to @RedCrossCanada for #ymmfire. You can help by texting REDCROSS to 45678

— Bell (@Bell) May 4, 2016

You can hearing popping signs like there are explosions. Flames appear to be right along side highway pic.twitter.com/BUHH6OxWId

— Briar Stewart (@briarstewart) May 3, 2016

[source] Twitter (2) [/source]