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Canada wildfire forces mass evacuation in Fort McMurray Canada wildfire forces mass evacuation in Fort McMurray
(about 4 hours later)
A huge wildfire has forced the evacuation of about 60,000 people from Fort McMurray - the entire population of the Canadian city. The entire population of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray has been forced to evacuate because of a huge wildfire.
The blaze has destroyed a number of homes, dropping ash on the streets of the city in the province of Alberta. Some 80,000 people were told to leave as the blaze swept into the city, which is the gateway to the oil sands region.
Fleeing residents have caused gridlock on the main road leading from the city, 380km (235 miles) north of Edmonton. Homes, petrol stations and a hotel are among the buildings destroyed in the city, in the province of Alberta.
The evacuation from Fort McMurray - which lies in an oil sands region - is the biggest in Alberta's history. There was gridlock on roads. Many fled north after flames forced the closure of the main road south. No casualties have been reported so far.
"If you just walk outside, you feel it (ash) falling on you. You see it floating in the air. I can take a broom and brush it off my deck," resident Mark Durocher was quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley called it the "biggest evacuation... in the history of the province".
Homes in at least two neighbourhoods have been gutted, and the fire has now spread to Highway 63 - the main road into Fort McMurray from the south. She said the priority was to get people safely out of the city and find enough spaces in evacuation camps for everybody.
Firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze, but the local authorities have called for reinforcements, including a water-dumping helicopter. Emergency shelters have been set up in oil sands work camps to the north of Fort McMurray.
So far there have been no reports of any injuries. Brian Jean, the leader of Alberta's opposition party, said: "My home of the last 10 years and the home I had for 15 years before that are both destroyed."
Another resident, Carol Christian, who fled with her son and cat and said it was an "overwhelming feeling to think that you'll never see your house again".
She said sitting in traffic was "absolutely horrifying". "You look up and then watch all the trees candle-topping... up the hills where you live, and you're thinking: "Oh my God. We got out just in time."
Around 100 firefighters are tackling the blaze, backed up by nine air tankers and more than a dozen helicopters, officials say. Reinforcements are on their way.
The fire started on Sunday south of Fort McMurray, some 380km (235 miles) north of the provincial capital, Edmonton.
Fire officials had the fire contained until early Tuesday, when high temperatures and strong winds pushed the flames towards the city.
Have you been affected by the wildfire? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the wildfire? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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