Poor internet connection? Access a low-bandwidth, accessible version of this story on CBC Lite.
A wildfire that forced more than 6,600 people from their homes in Fort McMurray continues to grow, threatening a northeastern Alberta community that was ravaged by fire eight years ago.
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods — Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace — were evacuated Tuesday as a wildfire grew dangerously near.
As of Wednesday morning, the fire had consumed nearly 21,000 hectares of forest, after almost doubling in size the day before, and moved closer to the community as it spread rapidly toward the northwest.
After days of volatile fire activity, a favourable change in the weather is expected Wednesday with cooler temperatures and weaker winds that are expected to push the fire away from homes and businesses.
During a news conference Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged that Fort McMurray is no stranger to the devastation wildfires can cause.
“As residents rushed to leave their homes, I know that this will bring back difficult memories from the devastating fires of 2016, and I’m sure these memories will create fear and uncertainty for many in Fort McMurray.
“My sympathy is with everyone facing this situation but safety must remain our top priority.”
The fire and the ensuing evacuation is a stark reminder that Albertans live alongside the dangers that wildfires pose, she said.
Smith said the province is monitoring the situation closely and committed to protecting the community.
“We are prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep Albertans safe.”
The fire is being treated as a top priority by government authorities with 117 firefighters along with 14 helicopters now dispatched to the region.
During Wednesday’s news conference, the province announced a fire ban and an off-highway-vehicle restriction for the Fort McMurray and High Level regions in an attempt to prevent new fires from sparking.
Rapid spread
The fire threatening Fort McMurray spread rapidly Tuesday, fanned by parched conditions, high temperatures and extreme winds that pushed the flames toward the community’s southwestern edge.
Black plumes of smoke funnelled across the sky Tuesday as the wildfire began to consume areas previously burned in 2016, when a wildfire forced the largest evacuation in Alberta history and destroyed thousands of homes and other structures.
It was a familiar scene for many Fort McMurray residents as trucks and cars clogged all roads leading south and firefighters prepared to again defend the city, including many streets destroyed by fire eight years ago.
WATCH l Thousands leave their homes as Fort McMurray wildfire threatens:
More than 6,000 residents of Fort McMurray, Alta., headed south to safety as a large, out-of-control wildfire drew closer to their community. Other areas in Fort McMurray remain on evacuation alert and residents need to be ready to leave on short notice.
Outside the evacuation zone, the rest of Fort McMurray, and some surrounding communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, remain on evacuation alert — with residents needing to be ready to leave on short notice.
The wildfire continues to burn out of control. As of Wednesday morning, the closest point of the fire was about 5.5 km from the Fort McMurray landfill on the southern outskirts of the community and 4.5 km from the intersection of highways 63 and 881— the only highways leading south out of the oilsands hub.
Firefighters have contended with extreme conditions and crews were pulled from the front lines Tuesday due to dangerous conditions, pushing the firefight into the sky.
Helicopters and air tankers continue to fly while crews on the ground build containment lines and set up sprinkler systems to protect homes and businesses under threat.
In an update posted Wednesday morning, Alberta Wildfire said a shift in the winds is expected to push the fire away from Fort McMurray and Highway 63.
Less than 1 mm of rain fell on the wildfire overnight Tuesday but the forecast is expected to calm.
During Wednesday’s news conference, Christie Tucker, a spokesperson with Alberta Wildfire, said Alberta Wildfire and the municipality have entered into a unified command agreement and will be working together to handle the crisis.
She said firefighters will be back on the line Wednesday as aircraft will continue to douse the flames the sky.
She said crews have begun to move into the evacuation zone to protect the neighbourhoods most under threat with structure protection such as sprinkler systems.
“Active fire behaviour is expected today, but it should be less than what we saw yesterday thanks to cooler temperature and weaker winds,” she said.
Two night vision helicopters worked overnight on the fire to drop water on the fire’s active edges and firefighters patrolled from the highway to monitor fire activity, officials said.
Conditions remain extreme
Josee St-Onge, a spokesperson for Alberta Wildfire, said the improved conditions give firefighters a chance to gain the upper hand. But conditions remain extreme, she said.
The fight continues in the sky with helicopters and airtankers, she said. On the ground, the focus is on building containment lines, creating critical barriers for homes and businesses should the fire not retreat as hoped.
“The change in the weather gives firefighters a good window to make progress but there’s still a lot of work to be done to contain this wildfire,” St-Onge said Wednesday.
“We are still expecting high fire activity today.”
The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.
Evacuees who require food or accommodation are told to report to a reception centre at the Cold Lake Agriplex, 4608 38th Ave. in Cold Lake.
RV and camping accommodations are available in Lac La Biche, but hotels are already full from an initial flood of evacuees who arrived Tuesday.
The City of Edmonton has set up an evacuee reception centre at Clareview Community Recreation Centre, 3804 139th Ave. The centre will provide food services, clothing, pet day care and health care. The Red Cross will be at the centre to co-ordinate hotel accommodations.
On Wednesday, Jody Butz, regional fire chief, thanked firefighters for their work, and residents for ensuring neighbourhoods under threat were evacuated safely.
Butz said many people left the community Tuesday, even in areas that are not under orders to evacuate. He said people living outside the official evacuation zones should feel safe to remain.
“If you left Fort McMurray yesterday, not as a part of the evacuation order, you’re welcome to come home, and you’re welcome to feel safe being home,” he said.
“Other areas remain under an alert, but please know that we’re monitoring the situation closely and we have confidence in the safety of these areas.”
Butz urged people forced to evacuate Fort McMurray to be patient. He said evacuees should be prepared to be out of their homes for at least another week, possibly longer.
“Many people who have evacuated under an order are already starting to ask questions about when they might be able to return,” he said.
“I can only say this in the simplest way: not until it’s safe to return to these neighbourhoods. It must be safe.”
The province will provide financial support for evacuees.
A spokesperson for the Alberta government said Tuesday that just like in previous years, evacuees who are away from home for at least seven days will get $1,250 per adult and $500 per child under 18.
Just Asking wants to know: What questions do you have about wildfires and your health?
Fill out the details on this form and send us your questions ahead of our show on May 18.