Canadian City Ablaze: 1,600 Buildings Burned, Fire Threatens Airport

A massive fire that has been turning everything in its path to ash in Canada for days has forced over 88,000 residents of Fort McMurray to abandon their homes, writes Reuters, as reported by the Patria news agency.  

Over 1,600 buildings have been engulfed by the fire, which is now also threatening the airport and areas south of the city. A state of emergency has been declared in the province.

Several neighborhoods have already completely burned down, and in the meantime, conditions for fighting the fire have become even more difficult as the wind has picked up, blowing at a speed of 20 km/h. High heat and dry air are also contributing to the spread of the fire. The fire is now threatening thousands of homes, and the wind is carrying it towards the airport. A hotel north of the airport is already ablaze.

A cloud of black smoke is visible from 60 kilometers away, and the roads leading out of the city are clogged. People are sleeping in cars and trucks along the congested highway.

The fire, which broke out on Sunday, has spread to 10,000 hectares, and firefighters fear the battle for the city is yet to come.

"There is a possibility that we will lose a large part of the city," said Scott Long from Alberta's emergency agency.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday that Canada will also help the people of Fort McMurray. "Canada is a country where we help our neighbors," the Prime Minister emphasized, writes Index.