UPDATE: Fighting Ft McMurray Fire Like ‘Spitting On A Campfire’

Largest evacuation in Alberta history

Click here to make a donation to the Red Cross relief effort or text redcross to 30333 to donate $5.

Thursday A change in the weather may be the only thing that can stop the wildfires in Fort McMurray Alberta. High heat and wind have been fanning the flames and spreading them further. Water being dropped from the air is having as much effect as ‘spitting on a campfire’. More than 10 thousand hectares of land have been torched, more than 16-hundred structures have been destroyed. One-hundred-and-fifty firefighters are doing what they can; reinforcements expected in the coming days.

Wednesday The fire chief in Fort McMurray Alberta said yesterday was the worst day of his life. It could get worse today as high winds and high humidity threaten to fan the massive wall of flames that prompted an evacuation order for the entire town. More than 80-thousand people have crammed highways trying to get out of town. It is the largest evacuation effort in Alberta history. The fire started Sunday. It appeared firefighters would get it under control Monday. Then came the high winds. The fire has already burned through a mobile home park in the south end of town and is burning in several south end neighbourhoods. There are no reports of major injuries. The Red Cross has set up a family reunification number for wildfire evacuees: 1-888-350-6070; it is also accepting donations for the relief effort.