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Wildfire In Canada Blazes Out Of Control, Leading To A State Of Emergency

By Pam Wright
Published on: 06:36 PST, May 5, 2016

A massive wildfire in Canada continues to rage out of control, leading Canadian officials to issue a state of emergency on Wednesday.

As officials continue to evacuate in and around Fort McMurray, Canada, where the wildfire has left a path of burned vegetation and structures, they are saying it is the largest wildfire evacuation in terms of people displaced in Canadian history.

At least 88,000 people have been forced to flee the wildfire as it quickly spread, putting homes, schools, businesses and lives in danger, according to The Globe and Mail.

At least 25,000 acres and 1,600 structures had been destroyed by the wildfire by Wednesday morning in Canada’s oil sands region, according to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.

Even with 1,100 firefighters working around-the-clock to combat the wildfire in Canada, officials say all efforts have failed to control the inferno that has engulfed the city.

Fort McMurray Fire Chief Darby Allen issued a dire warning to residents, via the Associated Press, about the magnitude of the wildfire blazing in Canada.

“This is a nasty, dirty fire. There are certainly areas of the city that have not been burned, but this fire will look for them and it will find them and it will want to take them.”

According to The Weather Channel, the number of evacuees continues to rise as more residents are evacuated from their homes to escape the massive wildfire in Canada.

Fort McMurray International Airport was closed on Wednesday night as the wildfire approached. While the airport’s main terminal managed to escape damage, CBC reported on Thursday morning that several other airport buildings were destroyed.

According to CTV Calgary News, flames were seen near the airport that was built just two years ago at a cost of $200 million.

Wednesday night, authorities ordered the mandatory evacuation of at least 900 more people in an area threatened by the wildfire in Canada.

Fort McMurray resident Jason Edmonson told The Weather Channel about his terrifying encounter with the wildfire.

“We were not told to evacuate when we left. We could hear the flames across the road. We never waited to be told to leave. It felt like we had no other choice but to go. It was like living in a movie. So surreal. We lost everything, including two cats. No insurance, no time to think clearly. I’m very thankful that myself and my friends and family are safe. The city, police, firemen and everyone else who helped were amazing. Including nearby towns.”

Roads leading in and out of Fort McMurray were blocked by the wildfire and led to frightening experiences for evacuees, as resident Will Flett recounted to The Weather Channel.

“It was apocalyptic. Each side of the highway was engulfed in flames. I could feel the heat – even with my windows turned up and the air conditioning on – I could still feel the heat of the fire on both sides of me. It was scary because you didn’t know what was on the other side. There was a point where I couldn’t see a foot in front of my vehicle. I didn’t know what was in front of me, you just had to take that chance to get out.”

According to Reuters, the wildfire in Canada has shut down some oil production in the area, resulting in a rise global oil prices.

[Photo by David McNew/Getty Images]

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