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Canada wildfire: Oil workers evacuate camps near Fort McMurray Canada wildfire: Oil workers urged to leave Fort McMurray camps
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of Canadian oil workers have been ordered to evacuate camps near the fire-hit town of Fort McMurray as a resurgent wildfire heads towards them. Around 12,000 people have been urged to leave Canada's oil sands camps near the fire-hit town of Fort McMurray as a resurgent wildfire heads towards them.
Alberta State Premier Rachel Notley said up to 600 workers were being sent to oil sands installations further north. A regional official told the BBC that 8,000 people were given precautionary evacuation orders late on Monday evening, in addition to some 4,000 who had already been advised to leave.
About 4,000 more workers are on standby to evacuate if necessary.
More than 80,000 people fled Fort McMurray two weeks ago when a wildfire swept through the town.More than 80,000 people fled Fort McMurray two weeks ago when a wildfire swept through the town.
The vast fire moved away but in recent days it has started to threaten the area again. Around 2,400 buildings were destroyed.
On Monday, a wildfire was travelling at 30-40 metres per minute north of Fort McMurray, a statement from the municipality of Wood Buffalo said. The vast fire had moved away from the city but in recent days it has started to threaten the area again.
All northbound traffic had been stopped at the city, it added.
Fort McMurray wildfires - in-depthFort McMurray wildfires - in-depth
Hundreds of workers in the camps closest to the flames have been ordered to move away while thousands more were put on standby. A number of oil workers had begun in recent days to return to the oil facilities north and south of Fort McMurray to restart production.
There are 12 oil sands camps in the area. But on Monday, they were warned that the wildfire was travelling at 30-40 metres per minute north of Fort McMurray.
Over the course of the day, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo extended its precautionary evacuation orders to all camps north of Fort McMurray and south of Fort McKay.
These include the large Suncor and Syncrude sites.
Suncor confirmed, in a statement, it had "started a staged and orderly shutdown of our base plant operations" and its staff were being transported to camps further north.
"Suncor has enhanced fire mitigation and protection around all of its facilities," it said. "When it is safe to do so, we will continue implementing our restart plans."
Thick smoke and ash over a wide area are said to be hampering the fire-fighting operation and hot-dry winds have been fanning the flames.Thick smoke and ash over a wide area are said to be hampering the fire-fighting operation and hot-dry winds have been fanning the flames.
Fire crews were also trying to control a blaze south-east of Fort McMurray that is threatening an oil installation. Fire crews were also trying to control a blaze south-east of Fort McMurray that is threatening an oil installation, and another fire is burning not far from the Fort McMurray neighbourhood of Timberlea.
Meanwhile, work is under way to restore essential services to Fort McMurray, paving the way for the return of the 80,000 residents.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said on Monday that electricity had been restored to most of the city, the water-treatment plant was working and the airport was ready to reopen.
But she said air quality in the city was at a dangerously poor level. A reading on Monday morning was at 38 - far exceeding the province's most dangerous level of 10.
She warned against anyone trying to return until air quality readings drop significantly. "This is something that could potentially delay recovery work and a return to the community," she added.
Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau told CBC News that the cost of the disaster was still being evaluated.Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau told CBC News that the cost of the disaster was still being evaluated.
"We're obviously going to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people in Fort McMurray and rebuild the city," he said."We're obviously going to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people in Fort McMurray and rebuild the city," he said.
More than 2,400 buildings have been destroyed in Fort McMurray and thousands of evacuated residents continue to live in temporary shelters.
Officials say they hope a plan will be ready within two weeks to return residents to their homes.
The wildfire still covers about 2,410 sq km (930 sq miles) and is expected to burn for a few more weeks.The wildfire still covers about 2,410 sq km (930 sq miles) and is expected to burn for a few more weeks.