Fort McMurray Fire
An Alberta-wide state of emergency!
A fire now more than 355,000 hectares is still out of control.
More than 80,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and over 2,600 homes and buildings have been destroyed. The damage is extensive and it is not safe for residents.
There are 2,277 firefighters, 147 helicopters, 280 pieces of heavy equipment and 29 air tankers currently battling the fire.
ATCO has about 300 workers in Fort McMurray, including teams of water specialists working with the municipality’s water experts to assess damage.
Fort McMurray, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First Nation remain under a mandatory evacuation order. Fort McKay First Nation is under a recommended evacuation order.
With only minutes for people to leave their homes and their community, many left with nothing.
We want to help! Our plan is to partner with Fort McMurray Gospel Assembly, a local church in the area, so that we can provide whatever is necessary during this time of need.
The work of re-settlement, re-construction and rehabilitation only begins once the initial emergency phase has passed. Its not headline news anymore but people still need help and assistance with physical needs, emotional and spiritual care. By working with a grassroots partner, we are able to impact people in a very relational and personal way and demonstrate God's love to them.
Some of the things we talked about are a drop-in centre for families to come and receive aid, counselling for traumatized families, etc
(Top Image Source: Sara MacKinnon of Westville took these pictures as she fled Fort McMurray.)
(Middle Image Source: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Media Coverage:
Update 28: 2016 Wildfires (May 29 at 2 p.m.) | Alberta.ca
"The Beast" Video
Fort McMurray fire grows to 423,000 hectares, continues to threaten oilsands sites
Phased re-entry into Fort McMurray after wildfire to begin June 1
Fort McMurray wildfire grows to 423K hectares
Fort McMurray fire sweeps east through northern oilsands sites
Update 17: Fort McMurray Wildfire
Fort McMurray wildfire: Mandatory evacuation order expands to just south of Fort MacKay
Fort McMurray wildfire: Several homes damaged in explosions in Dickinsfield, Thickwood
Mandatory Evacuation issued for camps north of city
LIVE BLOG (during the first week)
What 1,610km2 looks like
Fort McMurray wildfire could reach Suncor oilsands site today
Fort McMurray wildfire could cover 2,000 sq. km by day's end
Haunting images emerge from devastated streets of Fort McMurray
Inside the fight against the fire
Video timeline of the first few days of Fort McMurray fire
Video and explanation of evacues from the north of Fort McMurray
More evacuation orders issued for Fort McMurray area
Fort McMurray fire now too large, too fierce to stop without rain
CTV News - Dash Cam from one of the evacues
CTV - Driving right through the heart of the Fort McMurray wildfire
Fort McMurray man watches his home burn on security cam
