Authorities in Alberta, Canada, have ordered the evacuation of hundreds of residents in four neighborhoods in Fort McMurray due to a threatening wildfire. The Rural Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued the evacuation order for Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek, and Grayling Terrace. The fire had moved to within 13 kilometers of the city, prompting the need for residents to leave to allow firefighting crews to work. Fort McMurray has a population of around 68,000 and previously experienced a devastating wildfire in 2016 which destroyed thousands of homes and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
The current wildfire in Fort McMurray is said to be different from the 2016 disaster, with an abundance of resources available to respond effectively. However, residents are still feeling the stress of having to leave their homes in the face of flames. Suzy Gerendi, who experienced the previous fire in Beacon Hill, was already packed up and leaving with her dogs when the evacuation order was issued. Another resident, Else Hoko, picked up her children from school in Abasand and was filled with stress and concern, recalling the losses suffered in the previous fire. The current fire has grown to 110 square kilometers and is out of control, with crews working to contain it as it approaches the community.
In a neighboring province, British Columbia, areas are also experiencing wildfires requiring evacuation orders. The Doig River First Nation and the Peace River Regional District were added to the list of mandatory evacuation areas as a fire threatened nearby. Fort Nelson is also at risk as a growing wildfire approaches the town. Emergency workers are urging residents to evacuate as the British Columbia Wildfire Service works to contain the blaze through aerial support. The challenges of evacuating communities include ensuring essential staff, like firefighters, have access to food and resources.
Canada as a whole is battling a record wildfire season in 2023, with over 235,000 Canadians evacuated and several firefighters losing their lives. The wildfires have spread across western Canada, causing choking smoke to affect parts of the United States as well. With weather conditions playing a significant role in the progression of the fires, officials are working tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect communities at risk. The impact of the wildfires is felt not only in the immediate areas affected but also in neighboring provinces and countries dealing with the consequences of the smoke and destruction caused by the fires.
