With the one-year anniversary of the Fort Mac wildfire just a week away, the president and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross Conrad Sauve announced today the charity has either spent or committed three-quarters of the $323 million its raised.

Of the money raised, $28.5 of the $30 million put aside for helping small business owners has been spent, something Sauve said is extremely important in the recovery process.

“Small businesses are particularly vulnerable after a disaster as their entire business is impacted and they’re critical to the recovery of the community that is affected.”

$183 million has gone towards individuals and families while community organizations also received funds.

Of the $323 million raised, $189 million were through donations, $104 million was provided by the federal government while the Alberta government chipped in $30 million.

As for timelines, Sauve was quick to remind people that patience will be required in the recovery process.

“The important thing for us is going with the pace of the community and working with the organizations in the community,” said Sauve.

The fire forced 88-thousand people out of their homes and destroyed about 10 per cent of the northeastern Alberta city's structures.