Wildfire Threatens Fort McMurray, Alberta, as Canada Battles Worst-Ever Wildfire Season
- May 15, 2024 08:01am
- 103
Hundreds of residents have been ordered to evacuate as a wildfire approaches Fort McMurray, Alberta, a city that was devastated by a wildfire in 2016. The fire is part of a record-breaking wildfire season in Canada, with several other fires burning across the country.
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Under Evacuation Order as Wildfire Approaches
Hundreds of residents in four neighborhoods in the southern end of Canada's oil sand hub of Fort McMurray, Alberta, were ordered to evacuate Tuesday as a wildfire threatened the community, authorities said.
The Rural Municipality of Wood Buffalo said residents in Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek, and Grayling Terrace needed to leave by 4 p.m. An emergency evacuation warning remained in place for the rest of Fort McMurray and surrounding areas.
The rural municipality said the residents in the four neighborhoods were being ordered out to clear room for crews to fight the fire, which had moved to within 13 kilometers (8 miles) of the city.
Fort McMurray has a population of about 68,000, and a wildfire there in 2016 destroyed 2,400 homes and forced more than 80,000 people to flee.
"It's very important for me to know that this fire activity is very different than the 2016 Horse River wildfire. We have an abundance of resources and we are well positioned to respond to this situation," Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz said.
Suzy Gerendi, who runs the dessert shop in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, said she was already packed up when the evacuation order came down. Gerendi lived in Beacon Hill when fire overtook it in 2016.
She immediately began the drive towards Edmonton, Alberta, with her three dogs.
"It's very, very dark and orange," Gerendi said. "It brings up some memories and it's not a good feeling."
Residents were also dealing with heavy smoke and ash.
"It's dark. The smoke is everywhere," said resident Else Hoko.
Hoko picked up her two sons from school in Abasand after receiving the evacuation order. She had also fled in 2016.
"I'm so stressed," she said, adding that she's praying for rain.
The Beacon Hill and Abasand neighborhoods saw serious losses in 2016.
The current fire has grown to about 110 square kilometers (42.5 square miles) and remains out of control.
Josee St. Onge, an Alberta Wildfire information officer, said wind is pushing the fire toward the community.
She said crews have been pulled from the fire line for safety reasons, and air tankers and helicopters continue to drop water and retardant on the "active edges."
"Unfortunately, these are not favorable winds for us, and the fire will continue to advance towards the town until we see a wind shift," she said.
In the northeast of the neighboring province of British Columbia, areas subject to mandatory evacuation increased, with the latest order Monday for Doig River First Nation and the Peace River Regional District as a fire threatened nearby.
Forecasts on Tuesday called for wind that could blow a growing wildfire closer to Fort Nelson. Emergency workers had been phoning as many of the estimated 50 residents still in town and urging them to go.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze had grown to 84 square kilometers (32 miles). On Monday, it was about 53 square kilometers (21 miles) in size. A photo by the service shows the billowing blaze spreading in a vast wooded area.
The community of about 4,700 and the neighboring Fort Nelson First Nation have been under an evacuation order since Friday.
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Rob Fraser said one drawback of the evacuation is the challenge for essential staff, including firefighters, to find food.
"This is really going to be weather dependent, and so far the weather has been holding with us," Fraser said of the wildfire in a video posted to Facebook.
In 2023, Canada experienced a record number of wildfires that caused choking smoke in parts of the U.S. and forced more than 235,000 Canadians to evacuate their communities. At least four firefighters died.
Several wildfires are burning across western Canada.
Related articles
-
Netanyahu Slams Western Leaders for Calls for Arms Embargo on Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denounced French President Emmanuel Macron and other Western leaders for their support of an arms...
- 06 Oct 2024
-
Resilience Amidst Trauma: Israel's Kibbutzim Return to Life After Devastating Hamas Attack
In the aftermath of a devastating attack by Hamas terrorists that claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands from their homes, Israel's...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Diddy Party Photographer Alleges "Warning" for Underage Attendees
A photographer who captured exclusive shots of Diddy's legendary parties in the late 1990s and early 2000s has revealed a chilling detail that has...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Unearthing the Mysteries of Sanxingdui: A Treasure Trove of Ancient Wonders
The Sanxingdui Ruins in China have yielded an extraordinary collection of artifacts that provide glimpses into an enigmatic ancient civilization....
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Biden's Stance on Israel's Response to Iran Draws Criticism from Republicans
President Biden's assertion that Israel's response to Iran's missile attack should be "proportional" has been met with disapproval from some...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Fox News First: 'Trio of Crises' Hinder Harris-Walz Campaign
Fox News Sunday's Shannon Bream examines how concerns over the White House's response to Hurricane Helene, the Israel conflict, and the port strike...
- 05 Oct 2024
Leave a comment
Your comment is awaiting moderation. We save your draft here
0 Comments
Chưa có bình luận nào