Wildfire nightmare returns to Fort McMurray with mass evacuations
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, over 130 wildfires are raging across Canada, with 40 of them being out of control. One of these is a fire in Fort McMurray, the site of the largest fire in the country's history in 2016.
Wildfires have already consumed about 210 square kilometres of forests near Fort McMurray in Alberta. On Tuesday, May 14th, local authorities declared a state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of about 6,600 people. The memory of the massive forest fire just eight years ago, the largest in Canada's history, has residents deeply concerned.
Tragedy in Alberta
Global News TV reported that the fire is spreading rapidly. As of 6 PM Eastern Time, authorities reported that approximately 110 square kilometres of forests were ablaze, and three hours later, the fire had already engulfed nearly 210 square kilometres of forest.
The roads leading south were packed with vehicles. Residents unable to evacuate headed to designated collection points, from where buses transported them to safety.
Fort McMurray
In May 2016, Fort McMurray, in northeastern Alberta, was the scene of Canada's largest forest fire. About 88,000 people from the city and surrounding areas were evacuated, and the fire demolished about one-fifth of the city's buildings.
The wildfire season in Canada is accelerating with worrying intensity. While not yet surpassing last year's record-breaking season, firefighters are already cautioning that it could be similar.
