A sizable wildfire is steadily approaching the major Canadian oil sands city of Fort McMurray, prompting the evacuation of approximately 6,000 individuals residing in four nearby suburbs, local authorities reported on Tuesday. Fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the fire has posed a threat to the western Alberta city since last week, now looming just 13 kilometers (8 miles) away to the southwest.
Alberta Wildfire Information Officer Josee St-Onge expressed concern over the fire’s rapid growth on Tuesday, noting gusty winds from the southwest reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h (24.8 mph). “Unfortunately, these are not favorable winds for us, and the fire will continue to advance towards the town until we see a wind shift,” she stated during an online media briefing.
The wildfire, which has expanded to over 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres), prompted mandatory evacuations for residents in the suburbs of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek, and Grayling by 4 pm Mountain Time (2200 GMT).
In 2016, Fort McMurray witnessed a massive wildfire that led to the evacuation of 90,000 residents and the shutdown of more than a million barrels per day of oil output. With memories of the previous disaster still fresh, many residents are choosing to evacuate voluntarily as a precautionary measure.
Regional fire chief Jody Butz assured that the city is better equipped to combat the fire compared to 2016, with ample resources and firefighters on standby. However, concerns remain for the oil sands industry, which plays a crucial role in the region’s economy. Companies such as Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd, and Imperial Oil have projects near Fort McMurray, raising the possibility of disruptions to production.
Analyst Martin King from RBN Energy remarked, “This will put more people on edge…the companies evacuated people for safety [in 2016], and of course, the people that worked in these sites were evacuated and had nowhere to go, so they ended up shutting down production.”
As the situation unfolds, authorities continue to monitor the fire’s progression and ensure the safety of residents and essential infrastructure in Fort McMurray.
