Photo Credit: Shawn Gritzmacher
It is not always easy to live in the Canadian province of Alberta, particularly in the forested areas. Although most Americans will point to the term wildfires affecting only the hottest areas of the country, such as in California, Arizona, or even in Florida, where a major wildfire ripped through the Daytona Beach area in 1998, Alberta is certainly not immune from them either.
According to statistics, Alberta can suffer from as many as one thousand wildfires per year and this past Thursday near the Fort McMurray area, high temperatures and winds sparked a major fire outbreak, the largest in Alberta’s history. Family evacuations have been rampant and according to the Canadian Red Cross, more than 80,000 families have been forced to evacuate as a result of the fire as of Friday.
The disaster has not been ignored by Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe, a fellow Canadian. Although he hails from Toronto, Ontario, the veteran who survived a horrendous accident during practice for last year’s Indianapolis 500 understands the pain being felt by the many families affected. So much so, that in association with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and team sponsor Oculus Transportation, Hinchcliffe has announced that all of his winnings earned from next Saturday’s Angie’s List Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross in support of the families who were forced to evacuate.
“It is heartbreaking to see so many people who have lost their homes.” Hinchcliffe said of the wildfires. “The Canadian Red Cross has been doing a tremendous job. We just pray that the weather will cooperate and any further damage can be contained. In the meantime I want to offer support for those affected.” James said.
The Canadian Red Cross is also asking those elsewhere who are able to donate money and supplies to do so as well via the Alberta Fires Appeal page online.
Entering next week’s third running of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Hinchcliffe will be seeking to better his finish of 12th in the event, earned last year. The event has been difficult for the Toronto native, who suffered a concussion in the inaugural race in 2014, after being struck by flying debris from another car. Hinchcliffe enters the month of May at Indianapolis with finishes of eighth or better in the previous two Verizon IndyCar Series events at Long Beach and Alabama.
Stay tuned to OnPitRoad.com for further updates from the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Road to the 100th Indianapolis 500.
