But it appeared a deluge was needed to stop the intense wildfires that have already forced some 88,000 people to flee – the biggest evacuation in the province’s history – and destroyed more than 1,600 homes and buildings.
Advertisement
Long says they are working to move about 8000 evacuees from the north to the south by air and that others will be moved to evacuation centres that can offer better support in Calgary and Edmonton once it is safe to do so.
While more than 1,000 firefighters frantically battled the blazes, at least seven of which were burning out of control, officials declared a state of emergency across the entire province of Alberta.
A wildfire moves towards the town of Anzac from Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday May 4, 2016.
A massive wildfire started spreading in the Fort McMurray region earlier this week, threatening more than a dozen nearby communities, destroying property and forcing residents to flee their homes.
Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced the mandatory evacuation had been expanded to include Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First Nation. Fort McMurray is surrounded by wilderness in the heart of Canada’s oil sands.
The Alberta government has sent a tanker under guard to help rescue vehicles stranded south of Fort McMurray, with three mobile fuel stations set up along a 200 kilometer stretch of road.
Line Porfon, vice-president of government relations at Merit Contractors Association, said they are monitoring the events closely for both its members who are located in the area and who have workers in the area.
The federal government is deploying four helicopters and a search-and-rescue plane to Alberta, and will be matching all donations made to the Canadian Red Cross in response to the wildfires that have devastated Fort McMurray.
Evacuee Jason Blair said he only had enough time to grab a few belongings before driving north to a Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) facility.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley flew up to survey the situation, and tweeted pictures of the fire from above.
Alberta Wildfire outlined how the wildfire grew so quickly on Wednesday night – saying winds kicked up, with gusts of up to 70 kilometres an hour.
“Conditions are very hot for this time of the year, and the risk of fire is very high”, said Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
Martin explained since living in Alberta, residents may be used to the dry weather and potential forest fires, but it may just be the beginning for these flames this summer.
Officials said one major task on Thursday will be to re-evacuate up to 25,000 people now sheltering in oil sands work camps north of the city.
“This rare step has been taken from the advice of officials”, Phillips said.
The area around Fort McMurray is known for its tar sands from which oil can be taken.
“Right now, our priority is providing support for our people, their loved ones and others in the area”, Shell spokesman Cameron Yost said in an email.
Advertisement
Crews have managed to save critical infrastructure, such as the downtown, the hospital and the water treatment plant.
