Canadian wildfire: State of emergency declared in oil town

World Today

Fire officials in Alberta, Canada say a raging wildfire could double in size by the weekend.

The fast moving flames have engulfed the city of Fort McMurray. Nearly 90,000 residents have been forced from their homes. But getting out of harm’s way and hasn’t been easy.

CCTV America’s Jessica Stone reports.

A slow south-bound crawl as thousands of Albertans flee the forest fires which have engulfed Fort McMurray on Friday. Some 25,000 headed north, only to be trapped by persistent flames and smoke.

Even as people across Canada donate food, clothing and set up mass shelters, Ottawa is kicking in financial aid to some 80,000 displaced residents. $1,250 per adult, $500 per dependent.

Since Sunday, the fire has gobbled up thousands more square kilometers of timber-dried brittle by two months of drought. And a swath of land now the size of New York City.

Tankers can’t seem to make a dent, but winds may do what firefighters have been unable to. Fire officials say the winds will blow the fire to the North and West of Fort McMurray, saving other endangered towns.

But it will be months, if not years, before Fort McMurray can be rebuilt. For now, national police will keep residents from returning until it is declared safe.


Ryan Jeffries on Canadian wildfire

For the latest on the ground, CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar spoke to Ryan Jeffries. He was one of the thousands of residents who fled the fire.


Ty Brandt on Canada wildfires

What was it like for the thousands who had to leave their homes as the fire advanced? To help us understand the terrifying ordeal, CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke to Ty Brandt, one of the many who evacuated.