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| Canada wildfire evacuees airlift starts | Canada wildfire evacuees airlift starts |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Canadian officials are airlifting some 8,000 people who fled north of Fort McMurray - the city which has been devastated by a massive wildfire. | Canadian officials are airlifting some 8,000 people who fled north of Fort McMurray - the city which has been devastated by a massive wildfire. |
| They also hope that the only motorway to the south will become safe on Friday to move the remaining 17,000 people, who are in danger of becoming trapped. | They also hope that the only motorway to the south will become safe on Friday to move the remaining 17,000 people, who are in danger of becoming trapped. |
| The entire city - more than 88,000 people - was evacuated three days ago. Some went north but most fled south. | |
| The fire in the province of Alberta has grown to 850 sq km (328.2 sq miles). | The fire in the province of Alberta has grown to 850 sq km (328.2 sq miles). |
| Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze using helicopters and air tankers. | |
| Alberta Premier Rachel Notley warned city residents that they were facing a long wait before they would be able to return home. | Alberta Premier Rachel Notley warned city residents that they were facing a long wait before they would be able to return home. |
| The blaze has already destroyed more than 1,600 homes and other buildings in Fort McMurray. | |
| Most of those who fled north have been staying in oil sands work camps in the remote area. | Most of those who fled north have been staying in oil sands work camps in the remote area. |
| About 4,000 of them have already been flown in military and civilian transport planes to Edmonton and Calgary and another 4,000 are expected to be rescued within hours. | About 4,000 of them have already been flown in military and civilian transport planes to Edmonton and Calgary and another 4,000 are expected to be rescued within hours. |
| The authorities hope that Highway 63, passing through Fort McMurray, will be safe on Friday to move the rest. A helicopter is expected to lead that evacuation convoy. | The authorities hope that Highway 63, passing through Fort McMurray, will be safe on Friday to move the rest. A helicopter is expected to lead that evacuation convoy. |
| The evacuees are being moved again because urban areas in the south are better able to support the displaced, officials say. | The evacuees are being moved again because urban areas in the south are better able to support the displaced, officials say. |
| "Our focus right now is on getting those people south as quickly as possible," Ms Notley said. | "Our focus right now is on getting those people south as quickly as possible," Ms Notley said. |
| "I must be very, very direct about this - it is apparent that the damage to the community of Fort McMurray is extensive and the city is not safe for residents. | |
| On the prospect of returning to the city she said: "Unfortunately, we do know that it will not be a matter of days." | On the prospect of returning to the city she said: "Unfortunately, we do know that it will not be a matter of days." |
| The fire is growing in size due to high winds but it is "under control", officials say. It is moving south-east, away from Fort McMurray. | |
| The blaze started on Sunday in Canada's oil sands region and many oil sands projects have cut production. | The blaze started on Sunday in Canada's oil sands region and many oil sands projects have cut production. |
| There are still no known casualties from the fire but there was at least one vehicle crash with fatalities on the evacuation route. | There are still no known casualties from the fire but there was at least one vehicle crash with fatalities on the evacuation route. |
| Scott Long of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency called the blaze "an extreme fire event" and said that rain would be needed to fight it. | Scott Long of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency called the blaze "an extreme fire event" and said that rain would be needed to fight it. |
| Cooler temperatures and rain are forecast, giving hope that it could become easier to contain the blaze. | Cooler temperatures and rain are forecast, giving hope that it could become easier to contain the blaze. |
| Wildfires in numbers | Wildfires in numbers |