The Town of Okotoks is already going through measures to help members of the community who may be taking in evacuees from Fort McMurray.

CAO Rick Quail says like many communities they've been at the ready to help those displaced since the wild fires spread into the city forcing over 80,000 people from their homes.

Town of Okotoks CAO Rick Quail

"We are aware and we have had calls with regards to displaced folks coming to our community," he says. "We wanted to assure our community we're going to work collaboratively and in a practical fashion to deal with issues as they arise."

The Town has experiences in housing and helping those who've been evacuated and Quail says they'll have the same areas of grace that helped evacuees during the 2013 flood.

"Similar to the 2013 flood and our friends from High River being displaced we will be making arrangements for additional garage containers if a family takes in additional occupants as an example and we'll waive the fee on the additional container during this temporarily crisis period."

Quail says besides the well being of residents and temporal ones, their furry companions will also be taken care of.

"We're going to work with municipal enforcement on animal control and dog licensing for folks coming into our community and we will make special provisions for recreation vehicles parked on the streets. Municipal enforcement will be working with home owners to ensure proper safety measures are being followed but we will allow these things to occur for now."

For more information if you are housing Fort McMurray evacuees contact the Town.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com