Fresh evacuations and fears for oil facilities as the huge wildfire in Canada spreads rapidly north.
Firefighters in central Canada are struggling to control a huge, 285,000-hectare blaze, provoking fresh fears it will reach major oil sand facilities.
Fort McMurray Burn Scar https://t.co/e90PZNd1uj #NASA pic.twitter.com/PftyEgBtQn
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) May 16, 2016
As the wildfires spread north, a further 4,000 people were evacuated from work camps on the outskirts of Fort McMurray in Alberta. This, almost two weeks after the city’s entire 90,000-strong population was forced to flee.
With fire Chief Darby Allen, Premier @RachelNotley, and the heroes of #ymmfire. From all Canadians, thank you. pic.twitter.com/EtHuGiYbFW
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 13, 2016
Alberta Premier, Rachel Notley assured the public that safety precautions were in place.
“Both (oil companies) Syncrude and Suncor have emergency plans in place, which they are operationalising, and firefighters in place as well. Officials are confident that should additional trigger lines be crossed that people can be evacuated safely if necessary.”
Buses are transporting workers to a safe location as part of our emergency plan. #ymmfire
— Syncrude Canada Ltd. (@SyncrudeCanada) May 16, 2016
Firefighters say the blaze has been travelling as fast as 30-40 metres a minute in some places, prompting officials to give precautionary evacuation orders to a further 8,000 people.
Authorities say the air quality in Fort McMurray has greatly deteriorated. Normally measuring from 1-10 on the air quality health index, the city was at 38 on Monday (May 16).
Most of the city remains intact, but hotspots burning in the vicinity are preventing residents from being allowed to return home.
When times are tough, Canadians help each other out. Nice to meet volunteers & fire evacuees tonight in Edmonton. pic.twitter.com/4kYrtYhAmn
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 14, 2016