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Canada wildfire: Oil workers urged to leave Fort McMurray camps | Canada wildfire: Oil workers urged to leave Fort McMurray camps |
(about 20 hours later) | |
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. | 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. |
A regional official told the BBC that 8,000 people were given precautionary evacuation orders late on Monday, in addition to some 4,000 who had already been advised to leave. | A regional official told the BBC that 8,000 people were given precautionary evacuation orders late on Monday, in addition to some 4,000 who had already been advised to leave. |
More than 80,000 people fled the fire that hit Fort McMurray two weeks ago. | More than 80,000 people fled the fire that hit Fort McMurray two weeks ago. |
Air pollution in the Alberta city is still at dangerously high levels. | Air pollution in the Alberta city is still at dangerously high levels. |
A reading on Monday found the level to be 38 - far exceeding the provincial index's most dangerous level of 10. | A reading on Monday found the level to be 38 - far exceeding the provincial index's most dangerous level of 10. |
The vast fire had moved away from Fort McMurray but in recent days it has started to threaten the area again. | The vast fire had moved away from Fort McMurray but in recent days it has started to threaten the area again. |
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. | 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. |
But on Monday, they were warned that the wildfire was travelling at 30-40 metres per minute north of Fort McMurray. | 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. | 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. | 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 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." | "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, and another fire is burning not far from the Fort McMurray neighbourhood of Timberlea. | 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. |
Canada's oil sands industry | Canada's oil sands industry |
Source: Alberta government | Source: Alberta government |
Canada's black gold oil rush | Canada's black gold oil rush |
Meanwhile, work is under way to restore essential services to Fort McMurray, paving the way for the return of the 80,000 residents. | 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. | 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 has 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. | But she has 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. |
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. |