This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36205344
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Canada wildfire may worsen amid mass evacuation | Canada wildfire may worsen amid mass evacuation |
(35 minutes later) | |
High winds and hot temperatures may worsen a huge wildfire that has forced the entire population of a Canadian city to be evacuated, officials say. | High winds and hot temperatures may worsen a huge wildfire that has forced the entire population of a Canadian city to be evacuated, officials say. |
Some 80,000 people in Fort McMurray, in Alberta province, fled as the flames headed to the centre of the city. | Some 80,000 people in Fort McMurray, in Alberta province, fled as the flames headed to the centre of the city. |
One district lost 80% of its homes. Extra firefighters were deployed to tackle a fire of 26.5 sq km (2,650 hectares). No injuries were reported. | One district lost 80% of its homes. Extra firefighters were deployed to tackle a fire of 26.5 sq km (2,650 hectares). No injuries were reported. |
Help from the army and air force is being sent but may take two days. | Help from the army and air force is being sent but may take two days. |
The blaze broke out south-west of the city on Sunday. Firefighters appeared to have a measure of control by Tuesday until a drastic wind shift overwhelmed them. | The blaze broke out south-west of the city on Sunday. Firefighters appeared to have a measure of control by Tuesday until a drastic wind shift overwhelmed them. |
'Devastated' | 'Devastated' |
Alberta agriculture and forestry manager Bernie Schmitte said: "The worst of the fire is not over. We're still faced with very high temperatures, low relative humidity and some strong winds." | |
The chief of Fort McMurray's fire department, Darby Allen, said on Wednesday that wooded areas in the city were still ablaze and he was concerned about the wind direction. | The chief of Fort McMurray's fire department, Darby Allen, said on Wednesday that wooded areas in the city were still ablaze and he was concerned about the wind direction. |
"It could be even more devastating, unfortunately," he told CBC. | "It could be even more devastating, unfortunately," he told CBC. |
He said of the task facing his staff on Wednesday: "I think, based on the conditions ... we're going to face a day that's fairly similar [to Tuesday]. We may... still be in fire extinguishment mode." | He said of the task facing his staff on Wednesday: "I think, based on the conditions ... we're going to face a day that's fairly similar [to Tuesday]. We may... still be in fire extinguishment mode." |
He added: "It's a nasty, ugly fire and it's not showing any forgiveness. The community is going to be devastated. This is going to go on. This is going to take us a while to come back from." | He added: "It's a nasty, ugly fire and it's not showing any forgiveness. The community is going to be devastated. This is going to go on. This is going to take us a while to come back from." |
Brian Jean, leader of Alberta's opposition, said on Tuesday night: "I'm afraid that huge parts of my home town.. may burn tonight and will continue to burn. | Brian Jean, leader of Alberta's opposition, said on Tuesday night: "I'm afraid that huge parts of my home town.. may burn tonight and will continue to burn. |
"My home of the last 10 years and the home I had for 15 years before that are both destroyed." | "My home of the last 10 years and the home I had for 15 years before that are both destroyed." |
The Beacon Hill suburb was said to have lost 80% of its homes, with serious losses also reported in Abasand and Waterway. One street in Timberlea lost a dozen trailer homes. | The Beacon Hill suburb was said to have lost 80% of its homes, with serious losses also reported in Abasand and Waterway. One street in Timberlea lost a dozen trailer homes. |
Some 150 firefighters are tackling the blaze, backed up by nine air tankers and more than a dozen helicopters, officials say. | Some 150 firefighters are tackling the blaze, backed up by nine air tankers and more than a dozen helicopters, officials say. |
'Roofs coming down' | 'Roofs coming down' |
Tens of thousands of people took to the roads that were still passable to flee the city, creating long lines of vehicles. | Tens of thousands of people took to the roads that were still passable to flee the city, creating long lines of vehicles. |
Communities were throwing open their doors to help the evacuees, although many headed towards Edmonton, Alberta's capital, some 270 miles (430km) away. | Communities were throwing open their doors to help the evacuees, although many headed towards Edmonton, Alberta's capital, some 270 miles (430km) away. |
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. |
One fleeing city resident, Cassie White, told the Globe and Mail flames had crossed a road and blown up a petrol station. | One fleeing city resident, Cassie White, told the Globe and Mail flames had crossed a road and blown up a petrol station. |
She told the paper: "There were flames maybe 15ft high right off the highway. There was a dump truck on fire - I had to swerve around it - and there was a pickup truck on fire as well. The entire trailer park on my right was in flames. Roofs were coming down." | She told the paper: "There were flames maybe 15ft high right off the highway. There was a dump truck on fire - I had to swerve around it - and there was a pickup truck on fire as well. The entire trailer park on my right was in flames. Roofs were coming down." |
The federal government said it was closely monitoring the situation and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it stood ready to help. | The federal government said it was closely monitoring the situation and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it stood ready to help. |
Fort McMurray is a major centre of Canada's oil sands industry - with vast oil reserves - and a major evacuation of staff was ordered. | Fort McMurray is a major centre of Canada's oil sands industry - with vast oil reserves - and a major evacuation of staff was ordered. |
Suncor Energy said its main plant was so far safe but crude production was being cut. | Suncor Energy said its main plant was so far safe but crude production was being cut. |
Shell Canada said it was opening its camp to evacuees. | Shell Canada said it was opening its camp to evacuees. |
Fort McMurray: Canada's 'manliest' city | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | Canada's National Post called Fort McMurray 'Canada's manliest city' where men outnumber women by roughly three to two. |
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 |