Terese Greenwood, a survivor of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, discusses the lasting emotional and practical impacts of wildfires on communities.She emphasizes the critical importance of following evacuation orders and prioritizing safety during such crises.

Greenwood recounts her family's harrowing experience, describing the fire as 'apocalyptic' and highlighting the chaos of leaving with little time to prepare.Despite the trauma, she notes that Fort McMurray residents remained calm and cooperative, working together to ensure safe evacuations.

Emergency crews focused on protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining evacuation routes, underscoring the need for residents to comply with instructions.Greenwood's home was destroyed, leading her family to downsize after realizing they no longer needed as much space or possessions.She also addresses the long-term emotional effects of wildfires, noting that everyday objects can unexpectedly trigger painful memories years later.

Her book, 'What You Take With You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home,' has been used by educators to help students understand evacuation experiences.

Greenwood encourages those currently under evacuation alerts to lean on their communities and process their emotions, stressing there's no right or wrong way to feel about such events.