Massive wildfire in Fort McMurray destroys buildings Largest Evacuation.

I heard on CBC Radio this morning that a gas station south of the fire was allowing fill-ups free of charge. Makes good sense, not only to the evacuees who may not have cash on hand, but also that it empties the underground tanks.

There was a gas station on the outskirts of Fort Mac that blew up yesterday.

originally posted by: masqua
I heard on CBC Radio this morning that a gas station south of the fire was allowing fill-ups free of charge. Makes good sense, not only to the evacuees who may not have cash on hand, but also that it empties the underground tanks.

What fuel is available is being dispersed as quickly as possible. Many others are offering free vehicle repairs and tire repairs to make sure that those affected can get to safety as quickly as possible.

There is also tanker trucks going up the highway to refuel those stranded away from any stations.

originally posted by: JohnnyCanuck

originally posted by: peck420

Hard to say, but probably not many. Most of the energy assets aren't physically in FMac. Might make loot and scoot less than profitable.

Lot of company infrastructure up there, though. I wonder if it marks the end of oil sands development, which is not profitable in the current market, anyway.

Development for this year ( and next probably) was pretty much stopped because of the low oil prices. Hopefully the insurance money that people get for their homes allows them to rebuild elsewhere, if they're those out of jobs.
Suncor and Syncrude (sp?) both had a lot of empty camp space from all the layoffs, that were filled to capacity last night.

Emergency Operations Centre has been evacuated, fire is flaring back up, crews are attempting to spray as many surviving buildings as possible.

Revised damage update:

An Emergency Alert - Wildfire has been issued for Lac Ste. Anne County.

Many response crews from the area are already dealing with FMac, could be very bad.

I think this is pretty weird.
Everyone just driving on the highway through the fire

originally posted by: Dumbass
I think this is pretty weird.
Everyone just driving on the highway through the fire

They don't have an option.

a reply to: peck420


Don't think so either, it just looked weird that's all

originally posted by: peck420

originally posted by: Dumbass
I think this is pretty weird.
Everyone just driving on the highway through the fire

They don't have an option.

Some of our promised infrastructure funding really needs to go to building some new roads.

They can be left dirt if they run a grader over them now and again, but so much of our north is like that - we need east west roads...things like this fire make us realize how big and undeveloped we are

originally posted by: snowspirit
Some of our promised infrastructure funding really needs to go to building some new roads.

They can be left dirt if they run a grader over them now and again, but so much of our north is like that - we need east west roads...things like this fire make us realize how big and undeveloped we are

Yup, yup, and yup again.

Absolutely ridiculous that that much economic activity has that little access.

Pray the wind doesn't go north, a lot of people went to the camps, and if they get trapped, there isn't any real way to get them all out.

a reply to: Dumbass

That video looks almost as if they're driving through a warzone, unreal.

Beacon Hill (Fort McMurray) today.

edmonton.ctvnews.ca...

A vehicle crash between Lac La Biche and Conklin (Hwy 881) has caught fire. Fire has spread to the trees.

a reply to: peck420

Wow.
Small explosions in the distance...cars, propane tanks...
Alberta wildfire nap has a few other little fires burning too.

We need rain, no wind, no lightning.
The Saskatchewan fire rating map looks the same as Alberta- tinder dry.

NW area of Alexis FN has been evacuated, Lac Ste Anne County wild fire is spreading.

a reply to: peck420

I downloaded the Aberta Wildfire app, there's about half a dozen listed as out of control, this early in the season

Resources are going to be spread thin.

Fire has breached Hwy 63/69 intersection. No traffic NB or SB. Unconfirmed reports that access to the airport is cut off.

Fire crews north of intersection are effectively on their own until it is brought under control.

originally posted by: peck420
Beacon Hill (Fort McMurray) today.

edmonton.ctvnews.ca...

Amazing devastation. Really feel for all those people, lost everything and that quickly.

Saprae Creek is under evacuation to Fire Hall #5 (Gregoire area) in FMac.

Can't get them out of area, Hwy 63 still breached.