Canada: Fort McMurray fire spreads, thousands airlifted

A massive wildfire in Canada exploded tenfold in size, forcing the evacuation of 8,000 people from work camps north of Fort McMurray by air as the inferno grew to 850sq km.


Canadian officials said they would move thousands more via a highway convoy on Friday.

A government airlift of those cut off to the north began from oil facility airstrips. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said some 4,000 people had already been airlifted to the cities of Edmonton and Calgary as of late Thursday.

The damage to the community of Fort McMurray is extensive and the city is not safe for residents," said Notley in a press briefing late on Thursday, as those left stranded to the north of the city clamoured for answers.

"It is simply not possible, nor is it responsible to speculate on a time when citizens will be able to return. We do know that it will not be a matter of days," she added.

Officials also warned that the communities of Anzac and Gregoire Lake Estates, about 50km south of Fort McMurray, were "under extreme threat" as the flames spread to the southeast.

More than 80,000 people have already been evacuated as the out-of-control blaze has burned down whole neighbourhoods of Fort McMurray and forced a precautionary shutdown of some oil production, driving up global oil prices.

Three days after the residents were ordered to leave, firefighters were still battling to protect homes, businesses and other structures from the flames.....http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/fort-mcmurray-fire-spreads-thousands-airlifted-canada-160506054604020.html
6/5/16
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