Originally from Pakistan, Nargis’ family left their homeland when she was a teenager. The family lived in Toronto, and did well in Canada. But, Nargis wanted a life on her own terms, and when a friend told her about Fort McMurray, the idea sounded promising.

“I didn’t have a car. I didn’t even know my address, and one day got lost looking for work. I took the wrong bus; and got home to Timberlea from downtown in an hour. Often there were days when I was scared to fall asleep because of loneliness. My dad is wealthy, but I didn’t want to ask for money. I knew I had to work hard for success.”

Her perseverance paid off. A week later, she landed a job with Cloud 9, one of Fort McMurray’s top hair salons.

“I finally got my own place. All I did was work. It made me happy to make others happy when I helped them look good. I quickly gained a huge clientele.” Nargis credits her boss for teaching her “things about life.”

“I used to get scared easily. She taught me to be strong, and talk to people. She was tough, but fair.”

Four years later, Nargis met her husband, Sameer through a mutual friend. They were married a year later. Their two-storey house was cherry picked among many. The couple poured their lifesavings in it. Nargis worked through her first pregnancy, securing her journeyperson ticket as a hairdresser following a tough exam. 

An exceptional seamstress as well, she would always sew her own house curtains, bed sheets, and pillowcases, even building benches for the patio. To say she was obsessed with her home would not be an overstatement. A home where friends gathered for amazing food, camaraderie and laughs, almost every weekend.

May 3 changed everything. It started out like a normal day for Nargis, as it did for almost 90,000 Fort McMurryites. She was busy cooking; her husband, a municipal employee had just returned from a night shift assuring her the wildfire was under control, and went to sleep. Around 2:30 p.m., her street was in mayhem.

“I woke my husband up, and said something was wrong. That’s when my in-laws, who live in Thickwood called and said they were being evacuated, and coming over. My husband ran to fill up the truck, and soon enough I couldn’t even stay inside the house. The heat felt like it was coming in through the roof,” she recalled. She packed a bag with milk for her two boys, aged four and two, diapers, and apples, left in slippers thinking she’d be back that night.

“We decided to go to MacDonald Island when I remembered my engagement ring, and baby photos. I could see fire on both sides, but insisted we head back. The RCMP wouldn’t let me go back,” she said, her voice breaking again.

Even when they were evacuated to Anzac, Nargis believed they would be home the next day.

“I wasn’t thinking of evacuating to Edmonton. I wanted to go home. But, then my neighbour, who is an RCMP officer called and said both of our houses were gone. I didn’t believe him, and asked for a picture. I wish I hadn’t seen that picture. I can’t delete it. I think I’ll keep it, always,” continued Nargis.

On June 7, Nargis returned to Fort McMurray from Edmonton to rebuild her life, her house, with the dream of one day starting her home-based salon.

“Fort McMurray gave me everything. My husband, kids, friends who are like family. I was nothing when I came here. I love this city. I can’t see myself leaving. I know I can start a new life anywhere. But, Fort McMurray is my world.”