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| Canadian wildfire halts evacuation convoy | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The only evacuation convoy leaving the Canadian city of Fort McMurray has been suspended due to 200ft (61m) flames flanking the road, officials say. | The only evacuation convoy leaving the Canadian city of Fort McMurray has been suspended due to 200ft (61m) flames flanking the road, officials say. |
| The police-escorted convoy of 1,500 vehicles was due to pass by the southern part of the city en route to Edmonton and Calgary. | The police-escorted convoy of 1,500 vehicles was due to pass by the southern part of the city en route to Edmonton and Calgary. |
| Parts of the city in the province of Alberta have been left devastated after a wildfire struck earlier this week. | Parts of the city in the province of Alberta have been left devastated after a wildfire struck earlier this week. |
| Officials had said it would take four days to to move all the evacuees. | Officials had said it would take four days to to move all the evacuees. |
| The BBC's James Cook, who is in Alberta, says that officials now fear that an oil facility near the flames could explode. | |
| In a statement released Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called upon Canadians to donate to charities assisting relief efforts. | In a statement released Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called upon Canadians to donate to charities assisting relief efforts. |
| "I would once again like to thank the many first responders who are working tirelessly, day and night, to fight this fire," Mr Trudeau said. | "I would once again like to thank the many first responders who are working tirelessly, day and night, to fight this fire," Mr Trudeau said. |
| "To those who have lost so much: we are resilient, we are Canadians, and we will make it through this difficult time, together." | "To those who have lost so much: we are resilient, we are Canadians, and we will make it through this difficult time, together." |
| Weather forecasters predict a 40% chance of rain this coming Sunday, which may help to slow the fire's spread. | Weather forecasters predict a 40% chance of rain this coming Sunday, which may help to slow the fire's spread. |
| More than 1,000 fire fighters and 150 helicopters, 295 pieces of heavy equipment and 27 aircraft tankers have been deployed, according to the Canadian government. | More than 1,000 fire fighters and 150 helicopters, 295 pieces of heavy equipment and 27 aircraft tankers have been deployed, according to the Canadian government. |
| Workers and equipment are being brought to the are from all across Canada. Officials say that if more resources are required they may request assistance from the United States. | |
| But Chad Morrison, Alberta's manager of wildfire prevention, said that what they really need is rain. | But Chad Morrison, Alberta's manager of wildfire prevention, said that what they really need is rain. |
| "We have not seen rain in this area for the last two months of significance," Mr Morrison said. | "We have not seen rain in this area for the last two months of significance," Mr Morrison said. |
| Without rainfall, officials predict that it could be "weeks and weeks" before the fire is completely out. | |
| Alberta has the third highest reserves of oil in the world, after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. | |
| Market watchers estimate that up to a third of Canada's oil sands output has been taken offline due to the fire. | |
| The fire now covers an area larger than New York City. |