29,000 evacuated from Fort McMurray, Alberta as wildfire spreads

[applegrove]

Wildfire destroys Fort McMurray homes, most of city evacuated

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildfire-destroys-fort-mcmurray-homes-most-of-city-evacuated-1.3563977

"SNIP..............



A huge wildfire raging in Fort McMurray, Alta., has burned homes in some neighbourhoods and residents fleeing the fire have caused gridlock on Highway 63 leading south out of the city.

Robin Smith, a spokesman for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, confirmed to CBC News that homes in Beacon Hill and the Centennial Trailer Park have been destroyed.

The fire is now threatening Abasand and Grayling Terrace.

The municipality said the fire breached Highway 63 at the MacKenzie Boulevard intersection south of the city.



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[applegrove]

1. Highway south closed, they're evacuating north of Fort McMurray. Vibes one and all.

[applegrove]

2. Manditory evacuation order of the whole town of 60,000 people right now at 8:27

[polly7]

3. So sad. Did you see the picture of all the vehicles on 63?

[applegrove]

4. No. I have been listenig, not watching the tv. Too sad.

[polly7]

5. Some good news overnight, still so terrible for all those who've lost homes and belongings

.. and pets, and livestock.

CTVNews.ca Staff

Published Wednesday, May 4, 2016 7:56AM EDT
Last Updated Wednesday, May 4, 2016 10:31AM EDT

All fires in the city of Fort McMurray are currently out, but fire officials are warning that, due to hot and dry weather conditions, the situation could worsen at any time.

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Fire Chief Darby Allen told reporters Wednesday that crews managed to get some of the blazes under control, but there are still concerns about fires outside the city.

“Firefighting staff have worked throughout the night, and all fires within the city have been extinguished,” Allen said.

But already, multiple homes and businesses have been destroyed, after shifting winds pushed the flames into the southwest of the city Tuesday afternoon, overwhelming firefighters.

The area of Beaconhill appears to have been hardest hit. Officials say that 80 per cent of the homes there have been destroyed but CTV Edmonton’s Breanna Karstens-Smith is touring the neighbourhood and says there is almost nothing left

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/fires-within-fort-mcmurray-extinguished-officials-say-1.2887111