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Please pray for the people caught up in this disaster.
There is a thread in the prayer forum too
Prayer for fire evacuees in Fort McMurray
Wildfire leads to mandatory evacuation of Canadian city
Most of the 100,000 residents of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray and its surrounds have been ordered to leave as a fire sweeps through the oil sands region.
Key points:
"All of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order," Alberta emergency services announced, after previously indicating that the northern edge of the fire was "growing rapidly".
"Right now, we have fire burning within the city," Chief Darby Allen of Fort McMurray's fire department said.
"It is impacting communities as we speak. Homes are on fire as we speak."
At least one residential neighbourhood in the city's south-east had been destroyed by the fire and others were severely damaged or still under threat, he said.
Provincial authorities appealed for military help to battle the fire and airlift people from the smoke-filled city after authorities issued the order, but said army and air force assistance would take two days to arrive.
About 44,000 people were estimated to be on the roads fleeing the city, while approximately 8,000 had reached an evacuation centre outside Fort McMurray, officials said.
Gas stations exploded and homes have been burned down, including one of the town's many caravan parks.
The 2,650-hectare fire, which emerged on May 1, forced the closure of the main southern exit from the city, prompting residents to head north towards oil sands camps.
"This is the biggest evacuation we have seen in the history of the province in terms of fire," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said.
"I know that it's a very scary time. I know it's a very, very stressful time for people to have to leave their homes under these conditions."
She said there had been no injuries or casualties in the fire to date.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had called Ms Notley to offer government aid to the province.
"My thoughts are with people affected by the fire in Fort McMurray tonight. Stay safe and remember to follow evacuation orders," he tweeted.
"We stand ready to help."
Severe weather forecast this week
Alberta is much drier than normal for this time of year, strengthening prospects for a long and expensive wildfire season in the wake of a mild winter with lower-than-average snowfall and a warm spring.
Authorities expect increased winds on Wednesday that will make it harder to fight the fire.
"Tomorrow is expected to be a more intense burning day," said Bruce Mayer, Assistant Deputy Minister of Alberta's Forestry Division.
A number of flights from Fort McMurray airport have been cancelled and the airport has advised passengers to check with their airlines for updates.
"There's lots of smoke," Fort McMurray resident Nick Sanders said as he was packing up to leave.
"It's quite bad and hanging over the city. Where there are trees in the distance you can see the fire."
Last May, wildfires in the area led to the evacuation of hundreds of workers from Canada's energy heartland, leading to a 9 per cent cut in Alberta's oil sands output at the time.
Authorities struggle to contain a wildfire that has been burning near Fort McMurray in Canada's Alberta.
There is a thread in the prayer forum too
Prayer for fire evacuees in Fort McMurray
Wildfire leads to mandatory evacuation of Canadian city
Most of the 100,000 residents of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray and its surrounds have been ordered to leave as a fire sweeps through the oil sands region.
Key points:
- 100,000 people, including entire city, ordered to evacuate
- Fire has breach city limits destroying at least one neighbourhood
- Increased winds to worsen conditions
"All of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order," Alberta emergency services announced, after previously indicating that the northern edge of the fire was "growing rapidly".
"Right now, we have fire burning within the city," Chief Darby Allen of Fort McMurray's fire department said.
"It is impacting communities as we speak. Homes are on fire as we speak."
At least one residential neighbourhood in the city's south-east had been destroyed by the fire and others were severely damaged or still under threat, he said.
Provincial authorities appealed for military help to battle the fire and airlift people from the smoke-filled city after authorities issued the order, but said army and air force assistance would take two days to arrive.
About 44,000 people were estimated to be on the roads fleeing the city, while approximately 8,000 had reached an evacuation centre outside Fort McMurray, officials said.
Gas stations exploded and homes have been burned down, including one of the town's many caravan parks.
The 2,650-hectare fire, which emerged on May 1, forced the closure of the main southern exit from the city, prompting residents to head north towards oil sands camps.
"This is the biggest evacuation we have seen in the history of the province in terms of fire," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said.
"I know that it's a very scary time. I know it's a very, very stressful time for people to have to leave their homes under these conditions."
She said there had been no injuries or casualties in the fire to date.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had called Ms Notley to offer government aid to the province.
"My thoughts are with people affected by the fire in Fort McMurray tonight. Stay safe and remember to follow evacuation orders," he tweeted.
"We stand ready to help."
Severe weather forecast this week
Alberta is much drier than normal for this time of year, strengthening prospects for a long and expensive wildfire season in the wake of a mild winter with lower-than-average snowfall and a warm spring.
Authorities expect increased winds on Wednesday that will make it harder to fight the fire.
"Tomorrow is expected to be a more intense burning day," said Bruce Mayer, Assistant Deputy Minister of Alberta's Forestry Division.
A number of flights from Fort McMurray airport have been cancelled and the airport has advised passengers to check with their airlines for updates.
"There's lots of smoke," Fort McMurray resident Nick Sanders said as he was packing up to leave.
"It's quite bad and hanging over the city. Where there are trees in the distance you can see the fire."
Last May, wildfires in the area led to the evacuation of hundreds of workers from Canada's energy heartland, leading to a 9 per cent cut in Alberta's oil sands output at the time.
Authorities struggle to contain a wildfire that has been burning near Fort McMurray in Canada's Alberta.
