Time lapse from my office — Ryan Jeffries (@RyanJeffriesWFG)May 3, 2016
Fort McMurray's fire chief Darby Allen told local media they have requested military assistance and expect the army will start sending out troops within a couple of days. Allen told local reporters south of the fires that he has 150 firefighters battling the inferno and expects 70 or 80 more to arrive in the coming days. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced Wednesday morning that her government was contributing 100 firefighters to Alberta to help battle the blaze. Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, and Quebec have all pledged support as well.While Allen said the fires within the downtown core of Fort McMurray were extinguished as of Wednesday morning, he warned they could flare up again at any time.Overwhelming devastation in Fort McMurray — Don Scott (@DonaldKScott)May 4, 2016
A pic of what trying to leave Fort McMurray looks like right now — chester (@ccccrystal__)May 4, 2016
About 17,000 resident fled to the north, and another 35,000 headed south, with around 20,000 of those expected to flood into the capital of Edmonton via an extremely packed, two-lane highway. Some of those who did go north ended up in camps set up for oil sands workers, which opened their doors to evacuees. Shell Canada promised to open a camp about 85 kilometers north of Fort McMurray to evacuees, while Fort McKay First Nation was also accepting the newly homeless.The surreal picture Julie Lodge, from Catalina, snapped of woman fleeing with horses near Fort Mac hospital. — Anthony Germain (@AnthonyGermain)May 4, 2016
The massive fires caught the city by surprise, and have left residents scrambling to get out. Many had trouble getting gasoline as they fled the fire. One gas station reportedly exploded for unknown reasons. The Alberta government has dispatched a fuel tanker to patrol the highway and help any motorists who are out of gas.The city remains on evacuation order and, as of Wednesday afternoon, the international airport was closed to all commercial flights.Video from one of my — Chad Sartison (@firefighters1st)May 4, 2016
The sky isn't visible in many of the images coming out of the area on social media, covered by clouds of black smoke or hidden behind gigantic flames. Cars and homes have been left in ruins, and those stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Highway 63 have been posting photos and videos of burning buildings along the way and horses, running to escape the fire.One more video before I head to Anzac. Stay safe everyone. — Robert Murray (@NovaCanuck)May 3, 2016
Several neighborhoods have already been destroyed by the fire in Fort McMurray, which started over the weekend and become ferocious on Tuesday after humidity levels went down and temperature shifted.In the neighborhood of Beacon Hill, 80 percent of homes had been lost.
Largest fire-related evac ever in AB, +29,000 forced to leave. You can help: — Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada)May 4, 2016
Thousands of Fort McMurray residents went to a camp for oilfield workers north of the city. In the midst of the chaos, two babies were born."Can't say that ever happened before," Blair McCalla, communications manager of the Noralta Lodge, told the CBC. The company, along with others in the area, has opened up several of its camps to people fleeing the fire.Tonight I spoke with Premier Notley and offered our government's support to the people of Fort McMurray. We stand ready to help. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)May 4, 2016
'It's gone. It's all gone': Wildfire empties Fort McMurray as flames enter city | https://t.co/Kvy06Dmkh0 | #ymm pic.twitter.com/F5a8M3LUxv
— Cullen Bird (@CullenBird)May 4, 2016