Wildfire forces evacuation of Canada’s Fort McMurray
The entire population of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray was ordered to leave their homes late on Tuesday as a massive wildfire swept through Alberta province’s oil sands region.
More than 80,000 residents were ordered to flee after an earlier evacuation order was extended to tens of thousands more people as flames continued to make their way into the city, Al Jazeera reported.
No casualties have been reported but damage has been extensive, with petrol stations exploding and a hotel and one of the town’s many motor home parks going up in flames, local media said. The air over the city was thick with black smoke.
“All of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order,” Alberta emergency services said, after previously indicating that the northern edge of the fire was “growing rapidly”.
Scott Long, of Alberta Emergency Management, said the flames had burned a number of structures, but couldn’t say how many.
The airport was still open but the hospital had to close.
Alberta Premier, Rachel Notley, said officials were doing all they could to ensure people’s safety and said they were looking into the possibility of an airlift for residents with medical issues.
“I know that it’s a very scary time,” Notley told a press conference.
“Our focus is completely and entirely right now on ensuring the safety of people, of getting them out of the city and ensuring that they are safe and secure.” Authorities urged residents to head towards evacuation centres as the city reeled from what Notley called the province’s largest ever evacuation.
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said that he had called Notley to offer federal aid to the province.
“My thoughts are with people affected by the fire in Fort McMurray tonight. Stay safe and remember to follow evacuation orders,” he tweeted.
Helicopters and firefighters
Long lines of cars travelled north via the city’s main highway, while flames ravaged the embankment on the side of the road. Police closed the southbound lanes. “Be patient, drive safely and please give way to emergency vehicles,” an evacuation notice read.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
1 Comments
09032524927 BREAKING NEWS!! CLEAN VEHICLEs F0R SALE
AT AFF0RDABLE PRICES AND IN A G00D W0RKING,
RECRUITMENT FORM IS OUT FOR SALES C0NDITI0N,WE SELL
ALL KIND 0F T0KUNB0 AND BRAND NEW VEHICLES, E.G
T0y0ta matrix= 45O,OOO T0y0ta sienna=6OO,OOO T0y0ta
camry= 25O,OOO, T0y0ta corolla= 4OO,OOO, T0y0ta Avenis=
55O,OOO. T0y0ta highlander=7OO,OOO, T0y0ta
tacoma=85O,OOO, T0y0ta hilux=75O,OOO, T0y0ta
rav4=75O,OOO Prado=9OO,OOO. Venza= 75O,OOO, G0lf4=
30O,OOO T0y0ta Aval0n= 45O,OOO, Lexus350 65O,OOO
Lexus RX330=65O,OOO, T0y0ta Hiace bus=7OO,OOO, H0nda
accord=45O,OOO, INFINITI FX35=95O,OOO, H0nda evil
spirit=6OO,OOO H0ndaCRV= 85O,OOO, H0nda baby
boy=5OO,OOO COaster bus 1.MILL0N, Range
Rover=95O,OOO. Nissan pathfinder=9OO, OOO, Nissan
altima=95OO,OOO Mercedes Benz=5OO,OOO Hummer
Bus=8OO,OOO, AND MANY M0RE, NOTE(All VEHICLES
ENGINES ARE IN G00D C0NDITI0N, AND WE MAKE DELIVERY
AS WELL)F0r m0re inf0rmati0n please call CUSTOM JULIANA 0n:09032524927..
We will review and take appropriate action.