Fire Forces the Largest Ever Canadian Fire Evacuation-"Absolutely Apocalyptic"

[Richard Myers]

According to Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, the Fort McMurray fire has caused 80,000 to flee their homes, the largest fire evacuation in Alberta’s history. "Walls of flames flanked the road as they made their way out of the northern Alberta city of Fort McMurray. 'It was something out of a movie,' she told the Guardian. 'It was absolutely apocalyptic, there were vehicles stranded everywhere, the sky was black and orange, there were – and are still – so many people trapped.'” source

UPDATE: May 5, 2016 6:00 AM MDT: ADRA’s Executive Director James Astleford is at the warehouse of GlobalMedic in Toronto to help pack hygiene kits that will be delivered to displaced families. These kits include simple items  like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and washcloths.

On May 3, 2016 a large forest fire near Fort McMurray, Alberta, fueled by wind and dry conditions, doubled in size and changed direction. As the winds increased the fire was spread across the river causing neighbourhoods to become engulfed in flames. A mandatory evacuation order was issued and 80,000 people fled from the inferno. As the crowds of people ran from the fire fuel supplies we exhausted and many people were forced to abandon their vehicles on the roadways. Reports are currently saying that some communities have lost up to 80% of the houses. ADRA

[colporteur]

Clear down hundreds of miles south in the midwestern United States we have a smoky haze. This morning it smelled of smoke in the air as we drove to church.  They are reporting flames 200 ft. high with currently  400 square miles of charred remains with the possibility of the fire doubling in size today. They are hoping for rain but I'm wondering that unless the rain is very heavy it may not make much difference for some time. With that kind of heat light to moderate rain is quickly vaporized and the fire creates its own wind.

[Richard Myers]