The situation worsened Tuesday due to rising temperatures and low humidity, resulting in a mandatory evacuation order for multiple communities.
Hope everyone gets out. That's pretty frightening. #FortMcMurray pic.twitter.com/guAeAorWNz
— Mike Hansen (@MikeHansen613) May 3, 2016
Whipped by winds, the blaze has grown rapidly, destroying homes in several neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of people have fled, and almost the entire city has been evacuated Tuesday, officials say.
Our thoughts are with all those in #FortMcMurray right now. Please stay safe. #bcpoli
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) May 3, 2016
Residents rushing from the city caused a massive traffic jam on the main road.
"It's chaos on the roads. People are panicking. It's gridlock on the roads. Flames are right next to a gas station," said Carina Van Heerde with radio station KAOS.
Massive traffic jam in #ymm as people in the Abasand area flee homes and schools. #ymm #ymmfire @ctvedmonton pic.twitter.com/UVzXsR3mCd
— Sean Amato (@JSJamato) May 3, 2016
Fort McMurray, with a population of over 60,000, is the capital of Alberta's oil sands region.
Social media has exploded with dire images from the city, showing long lines of traffic, towers of flames and clouds of dark smoke in the sky.
Scene at #ymm mall downtown. They were just told to shut doors & let ppl go home to get ready for poss evac. #cbc pic.twitter.com/PlbZ3aa5pu
— Marion Warnica (@warnicam) May 3, 2016
Highway 63, the main road into Fort McMurray from the south, was closed after flames jumped the road.
Amazing photo. Near highway 63 in #FortMcMurray, AB. Sender says it was a trailer park. @GlobalBC #YYM pic.twitter.com/5uiOtzSvjY
— Chris Gailus (@chrisgailus) May 3, 2016
Provincial and municipal firefighters are tackling the blaze, and no injuries have been reported. But the province has called for reinforcements, including additional firefighters and a water-dumping helicopter.
