Cooler but still well above normal this week

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Authorities have issued a mandatory evacuation order for the 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray in Alberta, where a wildfire has taken hold in the oil sands region. According to officials, it's the largest evacuation order caused by fire in the province's history.

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Although no injuries have yet been reported, commercial and residential properties have been destroyed, including a mobile home park. Flames have jumped Highway 63, the only road out of Fort McMurray, causing a panic among residents. The worst of the fires are on the city's south side.


One man recounted his frightening drive out of the Fort McMurray fire zone, in this video on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jstuffcocrimlaw/status/727626031318753280

The wildfire, which spans more than 6,500 acres, was discovered Sunday but dramatically escalated Tuesday as a result of weather conditions including high temperatures and low humidity.


"Right now, we have fire burning within the city," said Chief Darby Allen of Fort McMurray's fire department. "It is impacting communities as we speak. Homes are on fire as we speak."


Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted support for residents affected and urged them to follow evacuation orders. He also said the federal government is standing by to help.


Forestry manager Bernie Schmitte says the worst is not over, and weather conditions on Wednesday are expected to remain extreme.


Fort McMurray is located in Canada's oil sands region, home to the third largest reserves of oil in the world. NPR's Jeff Brady reports that:

Disasters

Marie Andrusewicz

Author

Some 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta, have been ordered to evacuate their homes. The wildfire spans more than 6,500 acres.

Huge wildfire forces evacuation of oil sands city in Canada

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