Smoke fills the air as a small plane flies overhead in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Raging forest fires whipped up by shifting winds sliced through the middle of the remote oilsands hub city of Fort McMurray Tuesday, sending tens of thousands fleeing in both directions and prompting the evacuation of the entire city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kitty Cochrane
Smoke fills the air as a small plane flies overhead in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Raging forest fires whipped up by shifting winds sliced through the middle of the remote oilsands hub city of Fort McMurray Tuesday, sending tens of thousands fleeing in both directions and prompting the evacuation of the entire city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kitty Cochrane

 

(FORT MCMURRAY, Alta) The wildfire that has destroyed whole neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray, Alberta could get even worse today.

Massive walls of flames prompted authorities to order the evacuation of all 80-thousand residents last night (Tuesday) and forestry manager Bernie Schmitte has warned that the worst of the blaze “is not over.”

He told a late night news conference that today’s forecast calls for very high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

At the same news conference, fire chief Darby Allen said there were no reports of serious injuries, adding that military assistance is expected to arrive in the Alberta city within a couple of days

 

In the meantime, Highway 63, the main route to the city route to the city from the south, has been clogged with vehicles as residents flee their city.

The blaze began started on Sunday and it appeared firefighters would get it under control yesterday morning, but the winds shifted quickly pushed the flames along a ravine and into the city.

Numerous communities and facilities in the surrounding area have opened their doors for the evacuees and work camps associated with oilsands projects have been quickly prepared for Fort McMurray residents.

 

Politicians of all stripes have sent their condolences and words of support to the city, including Alberta’s Opposition leader.

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean, the member of the Alberta legislature for the area, says his home along with businesses that have been in his family for three generations were lost.

 

(The Canadian Press)

Fire burns and smoke fills the air near homes in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Raging forest fires whipped up by shifting winds sliced through the middle of the remote oilsands hub city of Fort McMurray Tuesday, sending tens of thousands fleeing in both directions and prompting the evacuation of the entire city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kitty Cochrane
Fire burns and smoke fills the air near homes in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Raging forest fires whipped up by shifting winds sliced through the middle of the remote oilsands hub city of Fort McMurray Tuesday, sending tens of thousands fleeing in both directions and prompting the evacuation of the entire city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kitty Cochrane