Ft. McMurray, Alberta Canada, the Largest Wildfire Evacuation Ever
A massive, fast-spreading wildfire claimed a city in Alberta, Canada, forcing over 80,000 residents to evacuate Tuesday night. It was the largest wildfire evacuation in Canada ever, and the 3rd-largest environmental disaster evacuation.
Hot and dry weather conditions fueled the blaze, which grew rapidly as winds gusted over 20 mph. The weather will not turn favorable in Ft. McMurray for firefighting until Friday.
Wednesday high temperatures rose into the upper 80’s. Winds from the West are gusting to about 25 mph. Thursday will be much cooler, but steady winds of 10 to 15 mph will continue.
Fire danger is extreme across almost all of Alberta Wednesday, according to the Natural Resources department of Canada.
“Extreme” fire danger means that fires will be fast-spreading and high-intensity. Instead of spreading at ground-level, the wildfire will jump from treetop to treetop. It will be extremely difficult to control, and will only be approachable on the flanks, or sides.
At the Head, or the fastest-spreading part of the wildfire, the department says that only indirect actions will be possible.
(Natural Resources Canada)The fire, which started Sunday afternoon, grew to 300 acres by Sunday night. As of Wednesday, it is reported that it had grown to over 24,000 acres, 4X’ing in size since Tuesday night.
Remember, when traveling in forests during this extended wildfire season be careful in the extreme, lives and property depend on it.
Paul Ebeling
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