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Canada Fort McMurray: Alberta leader inspects fire devastation Canada Fort McMurray: Alberta leader inspects fire devastation
(about 1 hour later)
The premier of the Canadian province of Alberta has seen for herself the devastation from a huge wildfire in the city of Fort McMurray.The premier of the Canadian province of Alberta has seen for herself the devastation from a huge wildfire in the city of Fort McMurray.
"It was a miracle we got the entire population out safely," she told reporters on a visit to the site. "It was a miracle we got the entire population out safely," Rachel Notley told reporters on a visit to the site.
More than 80,000 people were evacuated from the oil sands city last week.More than 80,000 people were evacuated from the oil sands city last week.
Fire chief Darby Allen said 85% of buildings in Fort McMurray had survived the disaster, and the business area in the city centre was largely intact. Ms Notley said around 90% of buildings in Fort McMurray had survived the disaster, including the hospital and most of the schools.
Firefighters said residents might not be able to return for at least two weeks.
The battle to contain the wildfires reached a turning point on Monday thanks to drizzle and favourable winds, officials said.
One minister said the efforts might be "turning a corner" but warned that much work lay ahead.
Ms Notley visited the city for a first look at the destruction caused by the massive fire. She said she was "very much struck" by the power it had to cause devastation, and that about 200 structures had been destroyed in the blaze.
"The city was surrounded by an ocean of fire only a few days ago," she said.
"It was quite overwhelming in some spots. I was similarly struck by the proximity of the devastation to neighbourhoods that were untouched."
On Saturday, officials had said they expected the wildfire to double in size.
It covered 1,610 sq km (622 sq miles) on Sunday morning, Ms Notley said, and was about 30-40km from the neighbouring province, Saskatchewan.
The gas in Fort McMurray has been turned off and the power grid is damaged, while the water is not drinkable.
The team from the provincial government will begin preliminary planning on repairing damage in the city.
Some officials are optimistic.
Member of Parliament David Yurdiga, who toured the area on Sunday, said: "All of the key infrastructure is in place. Our hospital is standing. Our schools are standing. Our treatment plan is functioning."
He said that in some areas, "You don't even know there was a fire".
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