Fort McMurray Burns. Most of the Alberta city is being evacuated. - Polidicks

So the fire is under control now? Man that was an intense week. I hope they're able to recover from it relatively quickly.

[QUOTE=IceWarrior98;50275722]So the fire is under control now? Man that was an intense week. I hope they're able to recover from it relatively quickly.[/QUOTE] according to CBC it's still burning

[QUOTE=IceWarrior98;50275722]So the fire is under control now? Man that was an intense week. I hope they're able to recover from it relatively quickly.[/QUOTE] It's still burning out of control but it's no longer a direct threat to the city or the oilsands. They are not however letting people to return back yet. Even the media can't get in. It will be another few days or a week before people are allowed to return.

[url=http://imgur.com/a/yKm4V]Someone on reddit posted these photos[/url]. It's pretty bad.

Any updates on this?

How did it start? What provisions are there to stop it happening elsewhere?

[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;50312315]How did it start? What provisions are there to stop it happening elsewhere?[/QUOTE] There isn't much you can do against a fire this large. Here in Australia they generally just try to build fire breaks around towns and then defend them.

[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;50312315]How did it start? What provisions are there to stop it happening elsewhere?[/QUOTE] Nothing. Its natural for large forest fires like this, they will ALWAYS happen and naturally caused ones are generally for the better overall(nature wise, not good for humans), its why it happens.(If its started by a human or something its different) A lot of these just start by themselves, 1 dry patch gets too hot and catches, and the rest goes with it, all of it burns, then regrows and thats the cycle of life. Only thing is to not build houses in those areas, thats really it. Or spend an insane amount of money making all fire proof homes, which would look very ugly.

One month later, residents are finally being given the green to return home. [quote]Officials expect up to 15,000 people to go back on Wednesday, although three neighbourhoods remain off-limits. The water is reported to be not safe to drink yet, and other services are limited. Authorities will continue assessing conditions daily, and the plans could change if conditions worsen. CBC reported that five conditions had to be met for people to return, including the restoration of critical services such as police and healthcare.[/quote] [quote]As they drove into their neighbourhoods, residents were greeted by billboards put up by local authorities saying "`We are here. We are strong''. And firefighters who were instrumental in evacuating the city last month were back in force, hanging up Canadian flags.[/quote] [img]http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/7C79/production/_89856813_fortmcmurrayrmwbtweet.png[/img] [quote]Some 2,000 residents who had expected to return this week were told on Monday that they should not go back because of risks posed by debris and contaminants, including caustic ash. About 500 homes in the Abasand, Beacon Hill and Waterways areas have been deemed unsafe for habitation, meaning about 9,000 people will have to stay out of Fort McMurray for the immediate future.[/quote] [url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36422137]**SOURCE**[/url] In related news, local sales of refrigerators and freezers have skyrocketed.

what's the flag on the right?

I just looked at those pictures on imgur. God damn thats an insane fire. I find it odd to say that the citizens are going home because... Well, have fun sleeping under a pile of ash... That must be a shitty sight to return to. What is the estimated cost in damages?