Ft McMurray Wildfire

[axisg]

Not a fan of twitter but the images coming out are crazy. Glad to hear no reports of any casualties. I was glad to hear the last of my extended family made a break for Edmonton when the highway opened again this morning.

https://twitter.com/search?q=ft+mcmurray&ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^search
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...rray-as-evacuees-settle-in-edmonton-1.3565573

 

[pontiacgp]

it doesn't look good...."During a morning update Alberta Forestry spokesman Bernie Schmitte said the blaze has grown to 10,000 hectares, and that all efforts to fight the fire have failed."

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...mes-destroyed-in-beacon-hill-in-fort-mcmurray

 

[pontiacgp]

I just heard the whole city is under an evacuation order

 

[pontiacgp]

'Catastrophic' Fort McMurray wildfire prompts state of emergency

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...wildfire-prompts-state-of-emergency-1.3566310

 

[oldtinsmith]

My heart breaks for the people of Fort McMurray, stay safe!

Doug

 

[mr evil]

Evacuated everyone southeast now too, the missus is now in Edmonton after being bussed out late last night. Crazy crazy, wish I could get over there to help.

 

[pontiacgp]

I read that no one can help to put out the fire, only mother nature can put it out

 

[axisg]

They airlifted a bunch ( something like 4k ) of people from the Mining Camps North of Ft Mac yesterday with most of it being the Oil Company equipment. Today at 5am they started lining up a convoy of 400 or so vehicles and heavy equipment to start moving south with a helicopter escort. I image there will be some new cell phone images coming out later today. It has got to be tough to drive back thru the burnt out town you once called home.

The stories of compassion are overwhelming. Seen a guy on the news this morning who took $2k of his own money and bought $50 prepaid VISA cards. He was handing them out to families in Lac La Biche as so many have no money and no access to funds. That town has essentially doubled in population overnight with appx 8000 evacuee's staying in a town with a population of 9000. My inlaw said there are all kinds of centres set up in Edmonton for them to grab a warm meal and clothes. They seem to be determined to stay day-to-day in hopes that they can get back to the work truck and hopes that by some minute chance they have a home to go back to.