Fire in Canada can only be stopped by heavy rain

A massive fire, completely out of control, is twice as large near Fort McMurray in Canada, where, after the completion of the evacuation of the population, authorities are now concerned about oil facilities that could suffer multi-million dollar damage, Canadian media report, as carried by NAP.

The fire, which doubled on Saturday and continued to spread, has engulfed more than 200,000 hectares around midnight, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency announced.

- The circumstances related to the fire remain extreme – the report states.

More than 1,400 firefighters, 133 helicopters and 27 tanker trucks were battling 43 different fires in the province. Seven were completely out of control, particularly in and around Fort McMurray, the oil hub of western Canada.

The only good news is that the fire front "continues to move away" from Fort McMurray and oil production facilities towards the northeast.

Cooler and more humid air in the coming days could help stop or calm the fire. However, it will not help much if heavy rains do not fall.

The population from the area affected by the flames was evacuated by planes, large military transport aircraft, and aircraft of local airlines.