What can only be described as one of the biggest and the costliest natural disasters of Canada’s recorded – the wildfires of Canada is a travesty that the country is dreading to the core. The wildfires are so extreme that it made the residents of Fort McMurray leave their town. Around 88000 people flee the place.
Alberta government issued a statement releasing the how much these fires have consumed – around 200000 hectare or 500000 acres of land is now a dead place due to the wildfires. This much of land is enough to fit in New Mexico.
Last Sunday, there was a slight delay in the spreading of the wildfires as light rain and cooler weather contained the fires. The blazing fires are not that far from the oil sands in Fort McMurray. It was estimated that by Monday these fires would engulf the oil sands of the region but the cooler weather put a cap on the overextending wildfires.
Also Read: Massive wildfire in Canada destroys buildings and forces evacuations
"It definitely is a positive point for us, for sure," said Alberta fire official Chad Morrison when asked about the containment of the flames had a reached a turning point or not.
"As more and more fire has burned out around the city and the fuel around the city starts to disappear ... we are starting to move into that second phase of securing the site and assessing the site," said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley about securing the oil sands in the north of Fort McMurray.
Air tankers, helicopters and bulldozers had kept the fire from reaching those sites, said Morrison: “We’ll see how the day goes, but with the cooler weather, I do expect to hold the fire there."
Story Source: Business Insider
Image Credit: Reuters