NHL player opens home to families displaced by Canadian wildfires

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard is assisting some families that have been displaced by the Canadian wildfires that are still burning in the province of Quebec.

Girard is not currently living in the Quebec home, but it was being occupied by his father, Tony.

The Girards have taken in two families that were displaced from the town of Chibougamau, according to CTV News.

It initially started with one young family staying with Girard's father, who then phoned his son and made sure it was OK to take in people in need. Shelters were set up in the area but are not as crowded as initially expected due to so many folks taking people into their homes. 

The town of 7,000 people was completely evacuated this past week due to the approaching forest fires and shifting winds.

The Quebec fires have been affecting much of the northeastern United States over the past week with smoke blanketing much of the area. Professional sports games in New York City and Washington D.C. were postponed, while the air quality reached unhealthy levels over this past week with people being urged to not be outside more than needed. The smoke has lifted in the states, but several of the fires continue to burn in Canada. 

Girard, 25, has spent the past six years of his career playing for the Avalanche after being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Nashville Predators. 

He was born in Roberval, Quebec.