2016 Fort McMurray wildfire

2016 Fort McMurray wildfire
Fort McMurray residents evacuating along Highway 63 as the fire encroaches on the area
LocationRegional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta, Canada
Statistics
Date(s)May 1, 2016 (2016-05-01) – August 2, 2017
Burned area589,552 hectares (1,456,810 acres)
Buildings destroyed3,244
Deaths0 (direct)
2 (indirect)[1]
Non-fatal injuries0

The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire was a natural disaster that affected Alberta, Canada.[2] The wildfire damaged or destroyed 1,600 structures in early May 2016. Almost 90,000 people evacuated (left) the area as the wildfire spread through the community of Fort McMurray.[3]

A local state of emergency was put in effect on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 9:57 pm. Several areas were put under a mandatory evacuation. More than 90,000 people people left the area.[2] Fort McMurray also experienced high winds in addition to the wildfire.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "2 die in fiery crash on Highway 881 south of Fort McMurray". CBC News. May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Eliott C. McLaughlin (8 May 2016). "Fort McMurray wildfire 'may be turning a corner,' official says". CNN. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Fort McMurray Wildfire Continues to Grow". News1130.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Fort McMurray Braces for High Winds in Battle with Wildfire". CBC News Edmonton. Retrieved May 6, 2016.