RIP Fort McMurray -- Sad

[Ghost Rider]

The entire town has now been evacuated as shit gets burned to the ground 80,000+ people trying to find alternative shelter, my brother texted me this morning saying tons of families and pets pouring into the surrounding oil sands camps all yesterday and all through the night to take shelter from the blaze.

He said a couple parts of the town are now completely gone!!

Terrible situation out there right now...sucks! :(


5348

5349

5350

5351

5352

[Ghost Rider]

5353

5354

5355

[ZR]

I had just posted a thread about it as well. OMG, hope everyone makes it out safely.

[allicedout]

Unreal the size of this disaster. Prayers for all those families and emergency response personal involved.

[Ghost Rider]

I had just posted a thread about it as well. OMG, hope everyone makes it out safely.

oh sorry...I did a search before starting the thread incase there was one...nothing came up...


and yeah, pretty bad out there, lots of people opening up their homes throughout Alberta for people to stay with them even as far down as Calgary

My Brother's working on site right now about 50km N of the Blaze, said he might fly home to Edmonton to make room for Ft. McMurray residents that need shelter...

[ZR]

Looks like we were adding pics about the same time, you pulled the trigger a lil before me, deleted the dup thread.

[Ghost Rider]

Looks like we were adding pics about the same time, you pulled the trigger a lil before me, deleted the dup thread.

oh..ic :)

[Uncle Buck]

Terrible. Hope everyone gets out safe

[Stephen06GT]

Prayers for the people of Fort Mac.

[Scrape]

Prayers for the families and emergency response teams. Wow that is very scary!

[Harbinger]

My buddy is using his truck as a relief vehicle. Nuts!

Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk

[WTF]

this is a horrifying ordeal

[Vinny_vegas]

Prayers for the people out that way

[JonsMustang]

Prayers for the families and emergency response teams.

[92redragtop]

Terrible situation out there - hope the fire breaks up soon.

[Old Fart]

Wow...no words...

[RedSN]

Was thinking about your brother when I heard the updates on the news. Hope he stays out of it's way.

[Ghost Rider]

Was thinking about your brother when I heard the updates on the news. Hope he stays out of it's way.

Thanks...I hope so too!!

[Ray721]

This really sucks. So many people displaced.

[Ghost Rider]

21 flights booked for today/tonight...to get workers off site to make room for Ft McMurray residents

Tanker trucks on their way up to fuel people and help get them going again and off the hwy...

[MUSTANGWOP]

Sad and scary all at the same time.

[83 5.0]

My nephew was in Fort McKay just starting his 10 day rotation, they flew him back to Calgary to make room for evacuees.

[2006-R/T_420]

This is devistating for all involved and for Canada

[92redragtop]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/rimohamed/General/16-2963_April_7_Fort-McMurry__zpsevrgjnma.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rimohamed/media/General/16-2963_April_7_Fort-McMurry__zpsevrgjnma.png.html)

[ZR]

They need a huge shift in the weather pronto.

[Ghost Rider]

"Fort McMurray wildfire burning so hot only weather can stop it"


My Brother got home shortly after 3am thismorning, one of the last flights out I think


read today that the fire is in danger of engulfing the entire airport!!

[RedSN]

A former NDP candidate is under fire for a tweet he made suggesting the Fort McMurray wildfire was karma.
Tom Moffatt tweeted out Tuesday evening that the current state of the oil and gas town is no coincidence, calling it “Karmic #climatechange”.
http://i.cbc.ca/1.3567378.1462412431!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/tom-moffatt-tweet.jpg


Keep smiling Tom, because karma is a bitch, and she now has your number.

[StAnger]

^ Fuck that leftist econazi.

[Ray721]

What a piece of shit thing to say.

[Ghost Rider]

Same with that stupid bitch (forget her name) that said on the news "oh, temperatures are rising across the country today but Ft McMurray seems to be the hot spot right now, it's roasting out there!"

then claims she didn't know what was happening up there???

yeah okay, you work for a fucking news station, how could you not know?

dumbass fucking ****!

[92redragtop]

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3567378.1462412431!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/tom-moffatt-tweet.jpg


Keep smiling Tom, because karma is a bitch, and she now has your number.

Elizabeth May has also taken the same angle - while people are losing their homes.

[TheMustangShow]

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3567378.1462412431!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/tom-moffatt-tweet.jpg


Keep smiling Tom, because karma is a bitch, and she now has your number.

This fuckin' faggot needs a punch in the throat...

[TheMustangShow]

I have never seen anything like the footage coming out of Fort McMurray, thoughts and prayers for everyone affected.

This is a cataclysmic event.

[Boomer]

Truly HORRIFIC. Thoughts and prayers are with all these people.

[5.4MarkVIII]

Horrible situation and sickening that some wouldn't use it to push their political propaganda.

Also I think it's amusing that our government says they have the Air Force on stand buy to help with evacuations. And meanwhile, according to news reports and social media, WestJet is already on site at remote airports evacuating people.

Other reports are of business owners with tanks of gas letting people fuel up at no charge so they can evacuate.

Justine is making speeches about how they are ready to help and yet the communities and business owners in the area are already on scean making a difference.

[TheMustangShow]

Horrible situation and sickening that some wouldn't use it to push their political propaganda.

Also I think it's amusing that our government says they have the Air Force on stand buy to help with evacuations. And meanwhile, according to news reports and social media, WestJet is already on site at remote airports evacuating people.

Other reports are of business owners with tanks of gas letting people fuel up at no charge so they can evacuate.

Justine is making speeches about how they are ready to help and yet the communities and business owners in the area are already on scean making a difference.

On the news last night, TruTWAT said he had sent 15 troops and has two planes on standby, this loser and his advisors are idiots, they clearly had know idea of the gravity of the situation.

[Ghost Rider]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQE4NosOE&spfreload=10

https://youtu.be/__kQE4NosOE


unbalievable some of the comments...some people are fucking scum

[Parkway Ford Lincoln SVT]

Hopefully everyone that is sending prayers will also do something which is more immediately useful ... please consider making a donation to the Canadian Red Cross, www.redcross.ca

It only takes a few minutes online to make a donation with your credit card, any amount helps. The owners of Parkway Ford Lincoln have just made a $10,000 donation to the cause, and have challenged other Ford / Lincoln dealers across the country to help as much as possible.


thanks,

Ed Nicholson

[StAnger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQE4NosOE&spfreload=10

https://youtu.be/__kQE4NosOE


unbalievable some of the comments...some people are fucking scum

Round and round society goes, where's the bottom? Nobody knows.


Edit:

Just found this video. Some scary shit.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCc1FvZ3g0Q

[TheMustangShow]

Hopefully everyone that is sending prayers will also do something which is more immediately useful ... please consider making a donation to the Canadian Red Cross, www.redcross.ca

It only takes a few minutes online to make a donation with your credit card, any amount helps. The owners of Parkway Ford Lincoln have just made a $10,000 donation to the cause, and have challenged other Ford / Lincoln dealers across the country to help as much as possible.


thanks,

Ed Nicholson

Easy to do too....

http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.102639.1363634124!/httpImage/image._gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.

• Text FIRES to 45678 to donate $10
• Text REDCROSS to 30333 to donate $5.

www.redcross.ca (Incredible work the Red Cross has done thus far!)

[Biz]

I will just leave this here
https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13133293_1554337021528985_3445361858282975156_n.jp g?oh=57e201d21a8cfc19f5743c884d0bff94&oe=57E25F87

Thoughts and prayers to those effected. Some ppl had 30 min notice to get packed.
Thankfully no real injuries yet.
Haven't seen anything like this in my lifetime.

[Intmdtr]

Saddening what is going on really. And our government is failing us in every way possible. This is the first PM that hasn't dispatched troops to have boots on the ground within the first 24hrs. And some of the comments I have read are disturbing that people wish it to keep burning...fucktards to say the least. I know the Red Cross is doing some good, but lets be honest, with all the bad publicity the Red cross has had, how much of your $10 donation is really making out to the people that need it most. I sent my cousin 200 litres worth of fuel money. He is making runs daily back and forth to help those in need.

[RedSN]

I don't know how much you can believe on the news, but I saw some guy being interviewed this morning and he was impressed with the resources that have already been mobilized to help those displaced. Food, shelter, clothing, etc.

[5.4MarkVIII]

From what I've seen a lot of that is being supplied by communities and business not the governemnt

[Sswitch]

I will just leave this here
https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13133293_1554337021528985_3445361858282975156_n.jp g?oh=57e201d21a8cfc19f5743c884d0bff94&oe=57E25F87

Thoughts and prayers to those effected. Some ppl had 30 min notice to get packed.
Thankfully no real injuries yet.
Haven't seen anything like this in my lifetime.

Yeah, I think we should probably stop bringing in Syrian refugees now that Canada can't afford to anymore. 1.6billion won't even cover 1/4 of the damage of Fort McMurray but it would help!

I can't stop thinking about the family pets. I hope all were evacuated before the fires. Pet Value's all over Ontario are taking donations to help care for family pets of Fort Mc, In case anybody was interested in making a donation to that cause.

[Not4you]

Yeah, I think we should probably stop bringing in Syrian refugees now that Canada can't afford to anymore. 1.6billion won't even cover 1/4 of the damage of Fort McMurray but it would help!

I can't stop thinking about the family pets. I hope all were evacuated before the fires. Pet Value's all over Ontario are taking donations to help care for family pets of Fort Mc, In case anybody was interested in making a donation to that cause.

Chill5.0, Ghost Rider's brother, who lives/works there posted something on his facebook recently about a pet rescue thing that is going on. It is a real concern.

I have a feeling the initial promises from the Gov't may have been made when the fires were in the forests. Now that it spread to the city and residential areas and the damage and impact has grown exponentially, I think the Gov't response will change. It has to.

[ZR]

Hopefully everyone that is sending prayers will also do something which is more immediately useful ... please consider making a donation to the Canadian Red Cross, www.redcross.ca (http://www.redcross.ca)

It only takes a few minutes online to make a donation with your credit card, any amount helps. The owners of Parkway Ford Lincoln have just made a $10,000 donation to the cause, and have challenged other Ford / Lincoln dealers across the country to help as much as possible.


thanks,

Ed Nicholson

Amazing to see that kind of generosity, kudos.

[Black Sheep]

my sister has lost her house to this fire. she is on her way to the east coast to stay with family.
my best bud lost his place as well. all he got away with was a couple shirts and pants (no socks or underwear). he lost his jeep, work truck and everything else. he almost did not make it out alive. he was asleep ( just off of night shift) with ear buds on and did not hear a thing. his daughter text him and he woke up to find the fire at his door. he grab his cat and jumped in his work truck. he got a couple streets down until he hit grid lock. he got out and looked back and his places was lite up. at that point he was on foot and hoof-en it. then someone stopped and gave him a ride. close one for sure.

[RedSN]

^^^wow, incredible, that's some real scary shit.
Glad he made it out with his life. Sorry he lost everything else.

[ZR]

Stories like that really bring home how serious the situation really is.

[92redragtop]

I know fire situation changes quickly with wind, etc., but did they wait to long to evacuate? In the hurricane region they seem to ask people to leave earlier even when the hurricane doesn't end up hitting directly - these last minute "run for your life" stories make me wonder about pre-emptive actions.

[RedSN]

Seems like it got out of control pretty quick.

http://shawglobalnews.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/wildfire_2.gif?w=800&h=450

[Canadian Bacon]

Saw this on facebook, had no idea Labbatt had done this before.


EDMONTON, May 4, 2016 /CNW/ - Labatt Breweries of Canada is mobilizing its Canadian Disaster Relief effort to immediately donate more than 69,000 cans of emergency drinking water in aid of Canadians forced from their homes and firefighters on the ground in the wake of a wildfire sweeping through Fort McMurray, Alberta. An additional 131,000-plus cans are at the ready and will be shipped if emergency conditions warrant later this week.

Today, a truck carrying more than 2,880 cases of water canned to disaster specifications departed from the brewer's Alberta distribution centres. The shipment is destined for same-day delivery at the Edmonton emergency centre for donation to firefighters and displaced residents with the greatest need.

Charlie Angelakos, Labatt's vice president, legal and corporate affairs, said, "At our Edmonton brewery and across the country, the people of Labatt are alarmed and deeply concerned by the devastation of the wildfire that has overtaken Fort McMurray. Our priority is to shift into high gear with our Disaster Relief Program and do everything we can to help."

Today's donation is Labatt's fourth under its Canadian Disaster Relief Program in as many years. The company made its first water donation in 2013, when severe flooding caused Alberta to declare Canada's first-ever provincial state of emergency, also flying out a team of Labatt employees to help with the flood clean-up effort on the ground. In 2014, the company came to the aid of flood victims in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and, in 2015 it coupled financial donations with donations of safe drinking water for fire fighters and residents when forest fires broke out in BC and Saskatchewan.

Labatt's Canadian Disaster Relief Program was first established in 2012 to provide safe drinking water to Canadian communities that have experienced a natural disaster. The company's Hometown Brewery in London, Ontario packages its own water and maintains a constant inventory of fresh and safe canned water exclusively for this purpose. Since 2012, Labatt has donated more than 220,000 cans of safe drinking water to Canadian communities under emergency conditions.

"Labatt is one of Canada's founding businesses and oldest brewers and we're grateful to be able to give back to this country by leveraging our strengths and resources to get safe drinking water to Canadians in need," said Angelakos.

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/labatt-produces-200000-cans-of-water-instead-of-beer-to-assist-firefighters-and-evacuees-in-alberta-578172291.html

[NickD]

In regards to how quickly the fire is spreading I heard on CBC this morning at points it was moving at 100km/h, I didnt know that was possible but after seeing aerial views off the torched areas and how it's spread in such a short time it's very likely that blocks were covered in minutes

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[tulowd]

Large fires pre heat the adjoining areas, the bigger they are, the more they affect the surrounding areas, logarithmic expansion, or something close to it.
House fires double in size every 30 sec-1 min, that's why quick response is so vital.

So far no loss of life I have heard - talk about a miracle.

The Federal Govt has done fuck all in a truly catastrophic situation. Even Obama would be on the ground in Ft MCM by now. Massive failure.


The other angle that hits me is the lack of military/corps of engineers and lack of preparedness for exactly this scenario. Building a town in the middle of a forest and then having a drought - you woulda thunk someone had a plan or the task of studying this scenario well before it occurred as opposed to doing a 20/20 forensic examination.

Thoughts go to all those affected and hoping a quick resolution and getting back up on your feet.

[bluetoy]

The Federal Govt has done fuck all in a truly catastrophic situation. Even Obama would be on the ground in Ft MCM by now. Massive failure.

I am 100% certain that the Federal Gov't is working very hard and as quickly as possible to organize a very well timed photo op for our fucking idiot wanna be movie star Prime Minister.

[ZR]

Co's out there really trying to make a difference, very cool indeed.

Lac La Biche's newest neighbourhood is rising out of the ground in a matter of hours.
Its residents are expected to move in almost immediately.
Under the hot, springtime sun, crews are working to place dozens of mobile homes in the soil of the Alberta town, which lies 289 kilometres south of fire-ravaged Fort McMurray.
In better times these trailers, kitted out with flat-screen TVs and leather couches, would have been occupied by oilsands workers.
But the downturn in the energy sector killed demand for these homes, until this week's out-of-control wildfire made them indispensable.
"We are trying to get this [camp] up and running as quick as we can," said Steven Stein of Black Diamond Group, the the Calgary-based company that owns the trailers and the land here, both being donated to house evacuees from Fort McMurray.
"Some of the people who will be out of their homes for five or six months will have a place to stay and use the amenities of Lac La Biche."
That's the reality now for many evacuees. Their return will be measured in months not days. They must now think about where their kids will go to school next fall, where they will live and work next winter.

[ZR]

Door to door searches continue to turn up residents that have not complied with the mandatory evacuation.

http://wpmedia.news.nationalpost.com/2016/05/fort_mcmurray_hi-res.png?w=940&h=705

[Intmdtr]

Its a goddamn shame really.

[ZR]

Surely is, so many people affected.
Thoughts and prayers for them.

[bluetoy]

Any thoughts on this?

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/Bluetoy/fires_zpsuu8gckt4.jpg

[84ragtop]

just talked to my brother in ft mac...all ok...but there will be no work indefinitely.... 4 people no work

[CHILL5.0]

I was working up at Shell Albian Sands which is about 60km north of town and staying in camp, I look after the air conditioning on both the hydraulic and electric fleet of shovels for Shell. Let me tell you it was hot and only a couple of complaints that were taken care of right away. The morning of Tuesday May 3rd everyone had hope that the fire had gotten better in town as the skies were clear. By the early afternoon all hell broke loose and the mandatory evacuations started. They called over the radios on site for everyone that lives in town to leave site right away so they could gather some things and evacuate. This is where it became all too real but in a way still feels fake and you don't want to believe it. Fort McMurray was my home for nearly 7 years and many friends of mine live there as well some of which have lost their homes. I'm thankful that we moved in August of 2015. It was so hot there and the humidity was only about 15%. Then the wind picked up. The fire now I believe is around 160,000 hectares in size. The only thing that can actually stop it is the weather. The crews can only prevent more damage from being done but they cannot control this beast. My supervisor was in town when it was under evacuation and he called me to let me know he was getting the hell outta dodge along with everyone else. He ended up camping out by the Fort McMurray airport that night and caught a flight out in the AM of Wednesday. Wednesday morning I woke up to lots of smoke on site. Shortly after the Fort McMurray airport canceled all flights and closed as it was threatened by the fires due to change in wind. Nearly 30,000 evacuees fled north of town towards all of the oil sands camps as they were all welcoming everybody. There are 3 airstrips to my knowledge north of town. Shell where I was has their own, Suncor Firebag site has one and CNRL has one. All of which were taking in evacuees and flying them out as fast as they could. I'm so impressed with Shell in how they dealt with the situation. Sure things were unorganized but what do you expect in a chaotic situation like this. Everybody was welcomed and fed and offered a place to sleep. The camp rooms filled up quick. I reported to work Wednesday morning like normal and we were told to go to a skeleton crew of 2 on days and 2 on nights. The rest of us were to get on the flight list and get outta there. I put my name on the flight list around 7 in the morning and flew out at 10:15PM. It was a long day that's for sure. As of yesterday all of the evacuees that made their way to Shell Albian Village have since been flown to either Calgary or Edmonton. Somewhere around 8000 people. On top of that is all of the pets, cats, dogs, birds, turtles etc. This is such a devastating disaster and it's still going. Many people didn't have time to go back to their homes and pets were left behind. Many pets have been recovered but not all of them.

It's very important that people understand the importance of hot and dry conditions. This fire which started out as 3 separate fires in and around the town were caused by human error. There was no lighting. How do humans cause these you ask? Next time you smoke in your vehicle and throw your butt out your window, please reconsider. Riding ATV's or offroad vehicles in the bush can also start fires as the hot exhaust can catch hot dry debris on fire.

This country has really come together in helping all of our evacuees. Many places here in Edmonton are offering free meals, some even free hotel rooms. Many merchandise stores offering big discounts as many people were only able to get out with whatever clothes they were wearing. The amount of stuff being donated is out of this world.

One thing that is impressive considering there is only one highway through town is that 80,000+ people were safely evacuated. Some went north and some went south. It's going to be really sad to see Fort McMurray the next time I fly up for work. I'm not even sure when that will be.

[84ragtop]

Russia offered water bombers about an hour ago... but that's the first

[Stephen06GT]

Glad you're safe Chris, and prayers for the people and firefighters in the area.

[5.4MarkVIII]

Russia offered water bombers about an hour ago... but that's the first

Not really. 50 plus Mexican bush fire fighters showed up. There has also been fighters and support for the US.

[TheMustangShow]

Any thoughts on this?

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h302/Bluetoy/fires_zpsuu8gckt4.jpg

What a great narrative, highlighting the some of parasitic and inconsiderate countries on the planet.

I was going to re-tweet this dude's message, but it looks like he deleted it.

https://twitter.com/OzwaldCampbell/with_replies

Pity.

[ZR]

Thanks for the post Chris.

[ZR]

James Taylor is leaning on his music to help Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees.
The "Carolina in My Mind" singer has made two Alberta concerts next month into benefits that will raise money for the wildfire rescue efforts.
He says proceeds from tickets to his shows in Calgary on June 7 and Edmonton on June 8 will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
"To turn those couple of shows into benefits is just too good an opportunity to pass up," Taylor said in a phone interview from his tour bus.
"It's a major national catastrophe and it's just impossible to ignore it."
Taylor says the idea came from conversations with his Canadian manager Sam Feldman on Friday, as he rolled into Ottawa for the first of a 15-concert tour of Canadian cities over the next month.
"You just don't want to think of profiting at a time like this," Taylor says.
"It's a time when something better can be done with the money."
More than 80-thousand residents of Fort McMurray have been displaced by the fires which began last week.
Forest fire officials say it could be months before they've fully extinguished the massive blaze, which has already spread across two-thousand square kilometres of northern Alberta.
Taylor has frequently participated in fundraising events for social and political causes.
"It's a feeling ... of community hat happens at a concert that is so compelling," he says.
"It's kind of a spiritual thing. It's the closest I get to church."

[Stephen06GT]

My new employer, Wajax, has agreed to match up to $100,000.00 in donations. This money will be collected through the Red Cross, and then those funds will be matched by the federal government. So basically, 1 will get you 4. If we all donated the cost of a tank of gas, it would make a big difference to the people of Fort Mac. Go here if you would like to make a donation: www.redcross.ca/wajax

[Ghost Rider]

I was working up at Shell Albian Sands which is about 60km north of town and staying in camp, I look after the air conditioning on both the hydraulic and electric fleet of shovels for Shell. Let me tell you it was hot and only a couple of complaints that were taken care of right away. The morning of Tuesday May 3rd everyone had hope that the fire had gotten better in town as the skies were clear. By the early afternoon all hell broke loose and the mandatory evacuations started. They called over the radios on site for everyone that lives in town to leave site right away so they could gather some things and evacuate. This is where it became all too real but in a way still feels fake and you don't want to believe it. Fort McMurray was my home for nearly 7 years and many friends of mine live there as well some of which have lost their homes. I'm thankful that we moved in August of 2015. It was so hot there and the humidity was only about 15%. Then the wind picked up. The fire now I believe is around 160,000 hectares in size. The only thing that can actually stop it is the weather. The crews can only prevent more damage from being done but they cannot control this beast. My supervisor was in town when it was under evacuation and he called me to let me know he was getting the hell outta dodge along with everyone else. He ended up camping out by the Fort McMurray airport that night and caught a flight out in the AM of Wednesday. Wednesday morning I woke up to lots of smoke on site. Shortly after the Fort McMurray airport canceled all flights and closed as it was threatened by the fires due to change in wind. Nearly 30,000 evacuees fled north of town towards all of the oil sands camps as they were all welcoming everybody. There are 3 airstrips to my knowledge north of town. Shell where I was has their own, Suncor Firebag site has one and CNRL has one. All of which were taking in evacuees and flying them out as fast as they could. I'm so impressed with Shell in how they dealt with the situation. Sure things were unorganized but what do you expect in a chaotic situation like this. Everybody was welcomed and fed and offered a place to sleep. The camp rooms filled up quick. I reported to work Wednesday morning like normal and we were told to go to a skeleton crew of 2 on days and 2 on nights. The rest of us were to get on the flight list and get outta there. I put my name on the flight list around 7 in the morning and flew out at 10:15PM. It was a long day that's for sure. As of yesterday all of the evacuees that made their way to Shell Albian Village have since been flown to either Calgary or Edmonton. Somewhere around 8000 people. On top of that is all of the pets, cats, dogs, birds, turtles etc. This is such a devastating disaster and it's still going. Many people didn't have time to go back to their homes and pets were left behind. Many pets have been recovered but not all of them.

It's very important that people understand the importance of hot and dry conditions. This fire which started out as 3 separate fires in and around the town were caused by human error. There was no lighting. How do humans cause these you ask? Next time you smoke in your vehicle and throw your butt out your window, please reconsider. Riding ATV's or offroad vehicles in the bush can also start fires as the hot exhaust can catch hot dry debris on fire.

This country has really come together in helping all of our evacuees. Many places here in Edmonton are offering free meals, some even free hotel rooms. Many merchandise stores offering big discounts as many people were only able to get out with whatever clothes they were wearing. The amount of stuff being donated is out of this world.

One thing that is impressive considering there is only one highway through town is that 80,000+ people were safely evacuated. Some went north and some went south. It's going to be really sad to see Fort McMurray the next time I fly up for work. I'm not even sure when that will be.

Glad you got out! Scary situation!!

[Only84]

Good post Chris/chill.
I just moved back after 8 years in the Mac, to care for a ill parent, as well as work was slowing for me in the construction industry.
I had to watch in horror from afar on tv and on Facebook as my family and close friends fled for their lives. I spent hours on the phone talking with them, trying to calm them and remind them to be strong, as all hell broke loose, they escaped, and then they sat idling down 63 running low on fuel.
It was almost as stressful for me here as for them there, to not be able to comfort them in person!
Thankfully everyone made it out, and are safe now!
I've also been on the phone a lot talking with a lot of folks in the local construction industry, and have already set up, to head out with my tools when the city reopens. The rebuild will start immediately, as the patch needs their workers, and their family's right back where they should be!
With exception to the federal and provincial govt's , I am proud of all of Canada's response to this tragedy, especially those in lac-la biche, bonneville, Boyle, attabasca, Edmonton red deer, and Calgary!
The people of Alberta are definitely helping their brothers and sisters in Fort Mac get off their knees to their feet again!

[Biz]

House after House after House-repeat 20 hr days-12 days going.
True Hero's right here.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVyPub0cE4g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVyPub0cE4g

[ZR]

Could not agree more Biz.

[Parkway Ford Lincoln SVT]

https://www.at.ford.com/content/atford/fna/united-states/en/homepage/news-and-clipsheet/news/2016/5/mcmurray-relief.html

OAKVILLE, ON, – Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. and Canadian Ford Dealers are donating more than $500,000 to the Canadian Red Cross for relief and recovery efforts related to the severe wildfires that have impacted Fort McMurray and surrounding areas.

Ford of Canada is matching a $171,000 donation from the nationwide Drive 4UR Community event on May 7, the Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $100,000, and Canadian Ford Dealer Associations have come together to donate an additional $200,000. On top of this, a number of Ford Dealers have made individual contributions, bringing total donations to the Canadian Red Cross to more than $500,000 for Fort McMurray relief and recovery efforts.

“It is inspiring to see the people of Alberta and the rest of Canada come together and support those who have been displaced by the severe wildfires in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas,” said Dianne Craig, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “I am also proud of our Canadian Ford and Lincoln Dealers for uniting to help evacuees and local charities, including the Canadian Red Cross. Our thoughts are with those affected during this difficult time.”

On top of financial donations, Ford Dealers in Alberta have been collecting non-perishable goods and transporting them to evacuee locations, providing free meals and power to evacuees, and hosting fundraising events to support local charities. Many Ford Dealers outside of Alberta have also been doing whatever they can to help from afar.

[92redragtop]

What a great narrative, highlighting the some of parasitic and inconsiderate countries on the planet.

I was going to re-tweet this dude's message, but it looks like he deleted it.

https://twitter.com/OzwaldCampbell/with_replies

Pity.

Probably because it's not true?

[ZR]

https://www.at.ford.com/content/atford/fna/united-states/en/homepage/news-and-clipsheet/news/2016/5/mcmurray-relief.html

OAKVILLE, ON, – Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. and Canadian Ford Dealers are donating more than $500,000 to the Canadian Red Cross for relief and recovery efforts related to the severe wildfires that have impacted Fort McMurray and surrounding areas.

Ford of Canada is matching a $171,000 donation from the nationwide Drive 4UR Community event on May 7, the Ford Motor Company Fund is donating $100,000, and Canadian Ford Dealer Associations have come together to donate an additional $200,000. On top of this, a number of Ford Dealers have made individual contributions, bringing total donations to the Canadian Red Cross to more than $500,000 for Fort McMurray relief and recovery efforts.

“It is inspiring to see the people of Alberta and the rest of Canada come together and support those who have been displaced by the severe wildfires in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas,” said Dianne Craig, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “I am also proud of our Canadian Ford and Lincoln Dealers for uniting to help evacuees and local charities, including the Canadian Red Cross. Our thoughts are with those affected during this difficult time.”

On top of financial donations, Ford Dealers in Alberta have been collecting non-perishable goods and transporting them to evacuee locations, providing free meals and power to evacuees, and hosting fundraising events to support local charities. Many Ford Dealers outside of Alberta have also been doing whatever they can to help from afar.

Home run on their efforts.

[ZR]

If you want to help via donation, link to the RedCross.

https://donate.redcross.ca/ea-action/action?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=NO-DM&ea.client.id=1951&ea.campaign.id=50639

[ZR]

Some good news for residents.

Fort McMurray evacuees can expect to receive “welcome packages” when they begin returning home the week of June 1, the province said Thursday.
The packages are anticipated to have information on services available in town and also a set of instructions on what residents need to do when they re-enter their homes.
This could include directions on how to dispose of rotting food and to begin dealing with smoke or water damage.
“Everybody will receive a welcome package and there will be welcoming centres in each neighbourhood,” said Scott Long, executive director of operations for the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.
“I’m sure there will be some of those cautionary lines in the package about what residents should expect and what they should do when they first open their residence.”
He said many homeowners should expect some smoke damage, but officials are looking at providing “specialist cleaning services” to assist.
“As part of the re-entry planning, there are a number of plans — debris management, traffic control, access, welcoming plans,” Long said. “It’s not the normal pristine environment, so there are some challenges and there will be some unexpected things.”
As well, returnees will be told they can request a home visit from ATCO technicians, who will conduct a safety inspection, restart the gas and help re-light each appliance.
Electricity has been restored to 90 per cent of customers in the city. Gas has been restored to 75 per cent of customers; however, ATCO has temporarily shut off gas to all homes and businesses in Fort McMurray as precaution while an investigation continues into a home explosion earlier this week.
Provided conditions are safe, evacuees are expected to start returning home June 1 through a phased re-entry process announced by the government on Wednesday.
Wood Buffalo councillors were informed of the date on a Tuesday night conference call, and later spoke with Premier Rachel Notley hours before the announcement. But on Thursday, some councillors expressed reservations about the timeline.
“I think it is a bit aggressive, but again, it’s contingent on weather and all of those five key parameters being met,” said Coun. Tyran Ault.

[ZR]

Like those poor people have not endured enough already.

First came the wildfire; raging through the northern Alberta city of Fort McMurray (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/21/fort-mcmurray-evacuation-orders-lifted-residents-return)and prompting the frenzied evacuation of more than 88,000 people.

Then came the bears.
Authorities say black bears have been roaming the evacuated city (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/05/alberta-fort-mcmurray-wildfires-canada) in greater numbers, disoriented by the destruction of their natural habitat and lured by the scent of garbage and rotting food in the city.
“What we’ve got is tons of spoiling food inside houses in the heart of prime black bear range,” Lee Foote, a conservation biologist at the University of Alberta, toldCanadian broadcaster CTV News. (http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/hungry-black-bears-descend-on-fort-mcmurray-1.2911189) “You couldn’t create a better potential to attract black bears from a large area … and there are a lot of black bears in the area.”
The province of Alberta is home to an estimated 40,000 bears, many of which live in the boreal forests that surround Fort McMurray.
The fire – which now covers more than 522,000 hectares – came just as black bears were emerging from their dens after six months of hibernation and finding ashes or dusty conditions where they would normally encounter food. A smorgasbord of tantalising scents – from rotting fish and meat to leftover casseroles – brought many of them into nearby Fort McMurray, where food-filled refrigerators and freezers now sit sweltering in homes often left without power.
“They are smart and adaptive. They can smell food from kilometers away,” Brendan Cox, a spokesman for the province’s fish and wildlife enforcement branch told Reuters. “Just as you and I go to the nearby grocery store, or our favourite restaurant, the bears continue to return to a particular food source.”
Officials have said residents may be able to return to the city as early as next week, one month after they hurriedly fled (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/03/wildfire-alberta-canada-fort-mcmurray-evacuation) amid a thick blanket of heavy smoke and flames that licked the highways.
Many of the bears are expected to leave the city when residents return, as black black bears are typically not aggressive and rarely attack humans.
In the three weeks since the city’s evacuation, though, some bears have become habituated to food sources in Fort McMurray, say conservationists. “This is going to be a different type of emboldened, entitled bear, if you will,” said Foote. “They have had free rein of the place for a while, it’s prime fattening-up season just out of hibernation, and it could be a problem.”
Wildlife officers are currently patrolling the city, setting traps at the first signs of bear habituation. At least four bears have been captured so far, two of which were released back into the wild.
Two had to be euthanised over concerns that they could pose a threat to humans, wildlife officials told Reuters. “Officers feel the same distaste as members of the public feel for putting a bear down,” said Cox.

[ZR]

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has announced it has lifted the development restriction for Beacon Hill and Abasand, two Fort McMurray neighbourhoods hit hard by the wildfire.
Development was temporarily restricted by the chief medical officer of health who said the area had to be deemed "fit for human habitation."
This allows the city to start accepting and approving development and building permits submitted by contractors.

"This is an important step forward for our residents who have been patiently waiting to begin rebuilding in Abasand and Beacon Hill," said councillor Sheldon Germain of the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee in a release.
On Wednesday, reentry to the neighbourhoods began for the first time since the fire hit in early May.
"Residents are able to start rebuilding immediately once their applications have been processed and permits have been issued," Germain said.
"The permits will authorize the immediate pouring of foundations or placement of pilings, with the remainder of the rebuild to proceed once bylaw 16/011 is formally repealed by council on September 20."
The decision does not apply to Waterways.

The wildfire, nicknamed The Beast (http://www.cbc.ca/interactives/longform/news/battling-the-beast-fort-mcmurray-wildfire), ripped through the northern Alberta city, destroying 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the evacuation of more than 90,000 residents from the oil sands region.

[ZR]

Special on TV tonight about the fire, humbling how powerful mother nature truly is.
Hats off to those that worked tirelessly to keep the fire in check n save as many homes and structures as possible.

[Ghost Rider]

Hard to not feel anything with shots like this...

"Fuck you Fire...We're Canadians and we're not leaving Eh!!"

http://i2.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/746/286/2016-06-04T00-07-36.666Z--1280x720.jpg?w=670&quality=70&strip=all

https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2016/06/01/fort-mcmurrays-post-fire-homecoming-begins/flag.jpg.size.custom.crop.1086x724.jpg

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gjoCicSKH2nO1h8O8t9hag--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9ODAwO2lsPXBsYW5l/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/4b5b6eb05ed6b8acf57ffb13d4b73c89984456c4.jpg

https://i.cbc.ca/1.3610938.1464802389!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_460/welcomehomefortmcmurray.jpg

[ZR]

Same thoughts here Dave.

[Scrape]

Those pics show so much awesomeness!

[ZR]

If you get a chance, check out the special that was on TV last night. Heartbreaking n heartwarming all in the same breath.

[Scrape]

What was the special called? I will have to look it up.
If you get a chance, check out the special that was on TV last night. Heartbreaking n heartwarming all in the same breath.

[ZR]

Don't recall exact but something ... Fort McMurray

[Biz]

What was the special called? I will have to look it up.

Fort Mac Wildfire: Rogue Earth

[ZR]

Thanks Biz.

[CHILL5.0]

Tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary of the evacuation. I was 70km north of town at Shell Albian Sands during this tragedy. Shell helped out HUGE to accommodate and provide help for the community. I was evacuated from site On May 3rd at around 10PM. Waited all day on a list for a flight out. None stop flights in and out all day from Shell's Aerodrome. Hard to believe it's been a year already.

[CHILL5.0]

Here is a link to a video that was just released. I know a few of the people in the video. Terri Windover is a friend of ours. This tragedy took a big toll on Fire Chief Darby Allen, he retired a few months ago. Great video.

https://youtu.be/88JrQv7Ys9A

[Ghost Rider]

Some crazy shit!!