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| Fort McMurray wildfire: Airport in danger, state of emergency declared, 2 die amid mass evac | Fort McMurray wildfire: Airport in danger, state of emergency declared, 2 die amid mass evac |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Canada’s western Alberta province declared a state of emergency as a massive fire in Fort McMurray forced 88,000 residents to flee, with two deaths reported due to an accident during evacuation. Hundreds of homes have already been consumed by the blaze. | Canada’s western Alberta province declared a state of emergency as a massive fire in Fort McMurray forced 88,000 residents to flee, with two deaths reported due to an accident during evacuation. Hundreds of homes have already been consumed by the blaze. |
| The latest update from Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee revealed that the fire is raging in residential areas, while crews face very challenging and volatile conditions.The blaze has now spread to 10,000 hectares. | The latest update from Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee revealed that the fire is raging in residential areas, while crews face very challenging and volatile conditions.The blaze has now spread to 10,000 hectares. |
| Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said that around 1,600 homes have been destroyed in Fort McMurray so far. A boil-water advisory has also been issued for the region due to the possibility of contamination and all flights in and out of Fort McMurray airport have been suspended. | Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said that around 1,600 homes have been destroyed in Fort McMurray so far. A boil-water advisory has also been issued for the region due to the possibility of contamination and all flights in and out of Fort McMurray airport have been suspended. |
| The mass exodus caused by the fire has been described as the largest evacuation in Alberta’s history, with one fatal traffic accident reported that killed two people on secondary highway 881, which has been designated for evacuees.Larivee added that it is not yet known whether the accident was in any way connected to the fire. | The mass exodus caused by the fire has been described as the largest evacuation in Alberta’s history, with one fatal traffic accident reported that killed two people on secondary highway 881, which has been designated for evacuees.Larivee added that it is not yet known whether the accident was in any way connected to the fire. |
| The fire has reportedly crossed the intersection of Highways 63 and 69, which means that evacuating traffic can no longer pass northbound or southbound. | The fire has reportedly crossed the intersection of Highways 63 and 69, which means that evacuating traffic can no longer pass northbound or southbound. |
| The fire is reportedly getting close to the Fort McMurray International Airport, while a residential community near the airport has already been evacuated. Images from the scene reveal creeping heavy smoke. | The fire is reportedly getting close to the Fort McMurray International Airport, while a residential community near the airport has already been evacuated. Images from the scene reveal creeping heavy smoke. |
| The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo confirmed that the fire is heading towards the airport. | |
| The municipality also released estimates of potential damage. The Waterways and Beacon Hill neighborhoods look to be the worst hit, with 90 percent and 70 percent of the houses there, respectively, projected to be lost. | |
| Meanwhile, Notley began working with the Federal Government to plan measures to be taken once the fire is under control. | |
| “We’ve begun conversations with our federal partners about work that will need to be done with respect to restoration and recovery, once the fire is brought under control.” | |
| DETAILS TO FOLLOW | DETAILS TO FOLLOW |