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| Canada wildfire forces mass evacuation in Fort McMurray | Canada wildfire forces mass evacuation in Fort McMurray |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The entire population of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray has been forced to evacuate because of a huge wildfire. | The entire population of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray has been forced to evacuate because of a huge wildfire. |
| Some 80,000 people were told to leave as the blaze swept into the city, which is the gateway to the oil sands region. | Some 80,000 people were told to leave as the blaze swept into the city, which is the gateway to the oil sands region. |
| Homes, petrol stations and a hotel are among the buildings destroyed in the city, in the province of Alberta. | Homes, petrol stations and a hotel are among the buildings destroyed in the city, in the province of Alberta. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Alberta Premier Rachel Notley called it the "biggest evacuation... in the history of the province". | Alberta Premier Rachel Notley called it the "biggest evacuation... in the history of the province". |
| She said the priority was to get people safely out of the city and find enough spaces in evacuation camps for everybody. | She said the priority was to get people safely out of the city and find enough spaces in evacuation camps for everybody. |
| Emergency shelters have been set up in oil sands work camps to the north of Fort McMurray. | Emergency shelters have been set up in oil sands work camps to the north of Fort McMurray. |
| Fort McMurray: Canada's 'manliest' city | |
| On its tourism website, Fort McMurray describes itself as the "gateway to the north" - a region which is home to the third largest reserves of oil in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. | |
| It may be remote, but Fort McMurray's proximity to Canada's rich oil sands has helped it to become a hugely prosperous place, drawing oil workers from across the world. | |
| It is not strictly speaking a city, but such has become Fort McMurray's importance in the region that it is commonly referred to as one. | |
| Canada's National Post called Fort McMurray 'Canada's manliest city' where men outnumber women by roughly three to two. | |
| One of the town's many motorhome parks has been destroyed. | |
| Brian Jean, the leader of Alberta's opposition party, said: "Our hospital is on fire, where my children were born. | |
| "My home of the last 10 years and the home I had for 15 years before that are both destroyed," he added. | |
| Another resident, Carol Christian, who fled with her son and cat 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." | 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." |
| Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his concerns. | |
| 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. | 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. | The fire started on Sunday south of Fort McMurray, some 380km (235 miles) north of the provincial capital, Edmonton. |
| Fire officials had the blaze 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. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |