Fear, anxiety as thousands flee their homes in Fort McMurray due to threat of wildfire
Evacuees directed to Cold Lake, Edmonton for accommodation
Thousands of Fort McMurray residents headed south to safety as a large out-of-control wildfire drew closer to their community, but many are worried they won’t have a home to return to.
An evacuation order was issued Tuesday afternoon for the neighbourhoods of Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace, as the wildfire southwest of the community continues to grow.
Other areas in Fort McMurray remain on evacuation alert and residents need to be ready to leave on short notice.
Marina Barnes has lived in Fort McMurray for four years and evacuated from her home in Abasand Tuesday.
“I think the worst part right now is the unknown,” Barnes told CBC as she and a friend evacuated to Lac La Biche in the evening.
“Not knowing if we’re going to have a home to go back to.”
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo had told residents to head to an evacuation centre in Lac La Biche, but around 7 p.m., the municipality posted on social media that accommodation in Lac La Biche was full and directed evacuees to Cold Lake, about 147 kilometres to a new evacuation centre at the Agriplex.
The City of Edmonton is also accepting evacuees at a reception centre located in the Clareview Community Recreation Centre at 3804 139th Ave.
As of Tuesday night, the wildfire threatening the community has covered nearly 21,000 hectares as shifting winds and rising temperatures continue accelerating its growth and pushing the flames closer to the community.
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