‘My legs were getting smashed in. My face was burning’ – This is climate breakdown

• Location Fort Smith, Canada

• Disaster Wood Buffalo Complex fire, 2023

Olivia is Dene, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and works in environmental management. In 2023, she was caught up in the massive evacuation when the Wood Buffalo Complex fire broke out, burning more than 500,000 hectares in and around the national park. Across Canada, the 2023 wildfire season was unprecedented in its scale and intensity. Eight firefighters were killed, and about 200,000 people were displaced.

We were on evacuation alert. I remember my heart racing because I was like: “This is it. This is happening.” I finished my work day, went home, and I was unsure of what to do, wondering if I could stay and help.