Darla’s Day: Helping Out in the Nova Scotia Fires

Darla and Jody Nickerson live in Clyde River, NS. They are in the centre of the wild fires there. On Saturday night, May 27th, they were given minutes to evacuate their home. They left quickly with two sons, two dogs, and a well-loved cat. They did not have time to get Darla’s well-adored chickens. 

They woke up Sunday thinking they did not have a home to return to. Later in the day, this was confirmed.

But on Monday morning, May 29th, they woke to a text from someone sharing a picture of a slightly burned but still standing home! We were all relieved… for a minute. The fire picked up and they needed to go about their day knowing they most likely would not see their home again. They were unable to return to gather more things as it was unsafe.

What did they do? They put their feet to the ground and started to help others evacuate. They packed cars, herded cows, helped loved ones and complete strangers, and gathered people to a safe location. I am at a loss for words.  

We all need each other! This is a beautiful real-life story of people helping people when they are in need themselves. They are facing the hard and doing the good… helping all they can. Community. 

We all have something to give, even if we have nothing but the ability to help another.

We were notified that as of 6 this morning our house was still standing.  how I don’t know, nothing short of a miracle…but by God’s grace it is.  Not out of the woods yet since the fire is still in that area, but there it is!  When I saw it I felt joy, but then realisation set in…it’s standing but everything else all around is burnt…our neighbours were not as lucky!

Check on your friends and neighbours, don’t just offer help, go out and do!  We evacuated our house Saturday night with help and have repaid the favour to three other families.  Go show people the love of this community!  You never know when you might need the favour returned to you

—Facebook post by Darla Nickerson, May 29, 2023