AB, Canada: 'Catastrophic' Fort McMurray wildfire prompts state of emergency

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...ency-1.3566310


'Catastrophic' Fort McMurray wildfire prompts state of emergency
Fire crews expect another bad day as winds pick up and fire searches for more fuel
By Rick McConnell, CBC News Posted: May 04, 2016 11:27 AM MT Last Updated: May 04, 2016 4:59 PM MT

The "catastrophic" wildfire that has destroyed 1,600 homes and buildings in Fort McMurray, Alta., has now consumed more than 10,000 hectares, and is expected to rage out of control through the rest of the day.

At an update Wednesday afternoon, Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Danielle Larivee announced a province-wide state of emergency has been declared, a move that puts the battle against the fire and the subsequent recovery efforts in the hands of the government.

Late Wednesday afternoon, officials said the fire continues to burn out of control and continues to threaten parts of the city. They said the next few hours will be critical...

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...wing-1.3568035


Without rain, massive Fort McMurray wildfire expected to keep growing
No firm estimates yet available on number of structures that burned overnight
By Rick McConnell, CBC News Posted: May 05, 2016 9:55 AM MT Last Updated: May 05, 2016 4:35 PM MT

Fire officials in Alberta do not yet know what started a massive wildfire that chased the entire population out of Fort McMurray, but they now know the only force that can stop it will be a significant change in the weather.

Supercharged by winds of up to 70 km/h, the wildfire ballooned to 85,000 hectares overnight and is now raging on several fronts near the oilsands city.

The main fire, now south of the city, is expected to continue to burn out of control today and perhaps for many days to come...

[Pathfinder]

Emergency updates

Updates and information on the Fort McMurray and other Alberta wildfires, evacuation and other information related to this event.





Current situation

The following communities are under an evacuation order:

• Fort McMurray
• Anzac
• Gregoire Lake Estates
• Fort McMurray First Nation

Residents can receive wildfire updates through:

• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• 511 Road Reports for highway conditions

Alberta government info line - open 7am-10pm

• 310-4455 (toll-free in Alberta)
• 780-427-2711 (out of province calls)

Residents should not attempt to return home, areas are not safe to enter.

Evacuee information

Details will be updated as they are known.
If you're in the Wood Buffalo area and need immediate assistance, phone 911. If you're not in immediate danger, you can contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000.
States of Emergency



Evacuation and reception centres



Emergency fuel locations



Boil water advisory



Financial assistance and insurance



Social support services



Health information



Pets



Closures and affected government services



How you can help




News conferences

Premier Notley and officials will provide an update on the Fort McMurray wildfire and assistance efforts on Thursday, May 5 at 6:05 p.m.

News releases

• Update 3: Fort McMurray Wildfire (May 5 at 6 p.m.)
  
  May 05 2016
  Public safety remains the key priority as the wildfire in Fort McMurray continues to burn. Provincial fire crews continue their efforts to reduce the threat to property and infrastructure.
• Alberta announces provincewide fire ban and additional measures to reduce fire risk
  
  May 05 2016
  Effective immediately, the province is applying a fire ban across Alberta.
• Alberta Government matching Red Cross donations for Fort McMurray
  
  May 04 2016
  The Government of Alberta will match donations to the Red Cross in support of the people of Fort McMurray.
• Travel to Fort McMurray area not advised due to wildfires
  
  May 03 2016
  Due to heavy smoke and fire, motorists are being asked not to travel to Fort McMurray on either Highway 63 or Highway 881. Only essential travel should be undertaken.
• Fire restriction in effect for Alberta?s forested areas
  
  May 03 2016
  The fire restriction prohibits open fires on private land, backcountry and non-designated camping sites until further notice.
  
  http://www.alberta.ca/emergency.cfm

[Shiloh]

Source: http://globalnews.ca/news/2685743/fo...y-apocalyptic/


Canada
May 6, 2016 5:02 pm
Updated: May 6, 2016 5:05 pm
Fort McMurray wildfire: resident in convoy through community calls scene ?very Apocalyptic?

Thousands of Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees who were forced to flee the fire north of the community earlier this week are now making their way south to safety.

At 6 a.m. Friday, the RCMP began escorting 50 vehicles at a time through Fort McMurray on Highway 63. Once safely through, the vehicles were being released from the convoy to head to accommodations in Edmonton and Calgary

Vehicles were not permitted to stop at any time but people who passed through the city said the sight was unbelievable...

[Pathfinder]

May 10, 2016




Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Trapped in Clouds



NASA's Aqua satellite captured this image of the clouds over Canada. Entwined within the clouds is the smoke billowing up from the wildfires that are currently burning across a large expanse of the country. The smoke has become entrained within the clouds causing it to twist within the circular motion of the clouds and wind. This image was taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on the Aqua satellite on May 9, 2016.
Image Credit: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response Team, GSFC
Caption: Lynn Jenner
Last Updated: May 10, 2016

http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/goddard/2016/smoke-from-canadian-wildfires-trapped-in-clouds

Editor: Lynn Jenner