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Canada Fort McMurray: Leader says 90% of city survived | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Some 90% of buildings in the evacuated Canadian city of Fort McMurray have survived the massive wildfire, the premier of Alberta province said on a visit. | |
Rachel Notley said the hospital and most schools were intact but 2,400 out of 25,000 structures had been burnt. | |
"It was a miracle we got the entire population out safely," she told reporters. | |
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. |
Nobody was killed in the fire but two people died in a car crash when they were leaving the city. | |
Firefighters said residents might not be able to return for at least two weeks. | Firefighters said residents might not be able to return for at least two weeks. |
The provincial government declared a state of emergency and promised C$100m (£53m, $77m) in cash to evacuees whose homes have been gutted. | |
The battle to contain the wildfires reached a turning point on Monday thanks to drizzle and favourable winds, officials said. | The battle to contain the wildfires reached a turning point on Monday thanks to drizzle and favourable winds, officials said. |
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. | |
"The city was surrounded by an ocean of fire only a few days ago," she said. | "The city was surrounded by an ocean of fire only a few days ago," she said. |
"It was quite overwhelming in some spots. | |
"First responders and repair crews have weeks of work ahead of them to make this city safe for the people of Fort McMurray and the surrounding communities. | |
"But it is going to be made safe. It is a home you will return to." | |
The wildfire 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 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. | The team from the provincial government will begin preliminary planning on repairing damage in the city. |
Some officials are optimistic. | 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." | 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". | He said that in some areas, "You don't even know there was a fire". |
Have you been affected by the wildfires in the Fort McMurray area? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Have you been affected by the wildfires in the Fort McMurray area? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |