Neighbourhoods destroyed, 80 000 evacuated from their homes, no casualties and a baby is born in a refuge centre
ADVERTISEMENTWildfires are threatening to engulf the remote city of Fort McMurray in western Canada.
One neighbourhood of the city has already been destroyed. Local authorities say others have been badly damaged.
Hot, dry winds have been forecast and the fear is they could fan the flames further.
Nine air tankers, more than a dozen helicopters and around 150 firefighters are on the scene.
The province of Alberta has asked for help to bring the blaze under control.
What about the residents?
UPDATED: Whole neighbourhoods destroyed by raging forest fire in Fort McMurray https://t.co/SJojqyvvsvpic.twitter.com/bMfbnHTvAY
— CP24 (@CP24) May 4, 2016
The regional government has ordered all 80,000 residents to evacuate the city.
An estimated 44,000 had fled by late on Tuesday.
Thinking of my friends in the Great White North. #Wildfire destroys homes in Fort McMurray; 80,000 ordered evacuated https://t.co/mSPiZZSaZ4
— Smokey Bear (@smokey_bear) May 4, 2016
8,000 are at a reception centre outside the town.
The authorities are working to set up more emergency accommodation.
All patients have been successfully evacuated from Fort McMurray’s hospital.
Be prepared – advice about protecting yourself, your home and your property from wildfires (Canadian government site)
What about deaths or injuries?
So far, no casualties have been reported.
Local mayor Melissa Blake says a baby has been born at an accommodation centre for energy workers turned into an evacuation centre.
Has there been much damage?
Yes.
80% of Beacon Hill, a southern residential neighbourhood, has been destroyed by the fire.
- 2,200 residents
- 607 households
The neighbourhoods of Abasand (4,900 residents) and Waterways (600+) are also considered as lost.
When did the fire start?
Fort McMurray wildfire, fast and unpredictable, keeps firefighters at a distance https://t.co/6aebsKAYeApic.twitter.com/yotw34ENZs
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) May 4, 2016
The fire broke out southwest of Fort McMurray in the heart of Canada’s oil sands region on Sunday.
It shifted rapidly with the winds, reaching the city limits on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENTIts size at the time was estimated at 26.5 square kilometres or 6,540 acres.
BREAKING: #FortMacFire expected to be even worse today then they were yesterday, firefighters say #yymfire#abfirehttps://t.co/7neQe8a0uJ
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) May 4, 2016
Experts think Alberta could be in for a long and expensive wildfire season this year.
It has been much drier than normal due to a mild winter with lower-than-average snowfall and a warm spring.
Is help on the way?
Yes.
The Army and Air Force are on their way.
ADVERTISEMENTHowever, they could take two days to arrive.
What they are saying
“Canada is a country where we look out for our neighbours and we are there for each other in difficult times and certainly in Fort McMurray the difficult times they are going through right now is something we are going to unite around across the country.” – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the country is rallying round.
“Fuel is not readily available – do not attempt to travel south without sufficient fuel.” – the regional government tweeted.
A message from The Queen to
GGDavidJohnston</a> following the news of the wild fires in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FortMcMurray?src=hash">#FortMcMurray</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash">#Canada</a> <a href="https://t.co/82ZJpjLy5j">pic.twitter.com/82ZJpjLy5j</a></p>— The Royal Family (RoyalFamily) May 4, 2016