As the giant wildfire approached Fort McMurray on May 3, the first of the just under 90,000 people began their flight. Now, 8,000 others north of the city are being evacuated. We see two cars heading toward the camera. To their left, a black pickup truck heads the other way. In the background, we see great flames billowing into a charred sky.

As the giant wildfire approached Fort McMurray on May 3, the first of the just under 90,000 people began their flight. Now, 8,000 others north of the city are being evacuated.
Photo Credit: CBC / Courtesy: Malissa Holstein

Fort McMurray fire prompts more northern Alberta evacuations

About 8,000 more people, mainly oil camp workers, are being evacuated from northern Alberta in the wake of the devastating wildfire that struck the city of Fort McMurray earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the slightly less than 90,000 Fort McMurray residents forced to flee the blaze that struck May 3 are being slowed in their return by extremely poor air quality, hazardous smoke and hot spots.

On Monday, the air-quality-health index in Fort McMurray was set at 38. That’s nearly four times more than what is usually considered high risk. The index normally runs from one to 10.

The newest evacuation zone runs from about 50 kilometres north of Fort McMurray to just south of Fort MacKay and includes Syncrude and Suncor facilities, along with several smaller operations.

Meanwhile, about 40 fires are burning in northeastern British Columbia, near Fort St. John.

Forestry experts in the province say 2016 is already the most destructive wildfire season in recorded history.

Categories: Economy, Environment & Animal Life, Health, International, Society
Tags: ,

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.