Canada wildfire: Thousands airlifted from Fort McMurray as blaze grows

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• From the sectionUS & Canada

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Media captionJames Cook reports on the journey faced by those fleeing Fort McMurray

Canadian officials are airlifting some 8,000 people who fled north of Fort McMurray - the city which has been devastated by a massive wildfire.

They also hope that the only motorway to the south will become safe on Friday to move the remaining 17,000 people, who are in danger of becoming trapped.

The entire city - more than 88,000 people - was evacuated three days ago. Most fled south but some went north.

The fire in the province of Alberta has grown to 850 sq km (328.2 sq miles).

Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze using helicopters and air tankers.

The fire, which covers an area almost the size of Calgary, Alberta's largest city, has slowed down and is now heading away from Fort McMurray.

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Alberta Premier Rachel Notley warned city residents that they were facing a long wait before they would be able to return home.

The blaze has already destroyed more than 1,600 homes and other buildings in Fort McMurray.

A rare province-wide fire ban has been declared to try to reduce risk of further blazes.

Image copyrightAP

Image captionThose stranded north of Fort McMurray have begun arriving in Edmonton and Calgary

Image copyrightReuters

Image captionThe blaze has been raging in the Fort McMurray area since Sunday

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Media captionCanada fires: Amateur footage shows resident's terror

Most of those who fled north have been staying in oil sands work camps in the remote area.

About 4,000 of them have already been flown in military and civilian transport planes to Edmonton and Calgary and another 4,000 are expected to be rescued within hours.

The authorities hope that Highway 63, passing through Fort McMurray, will be safe on Friday to move the rest. A helicopter is expected to lead that evacuation convoy.

The evacuees are being moved again because urban areas in the south are better able to support the displaced, officials say.

"Our focus right now is on getting those people south as quickly as possible," Ms Notley said.

"I must be very, very direct about this - it is apparent that the damage to the community of Fort McMurray is extensive and the city is not safe for residents.

On the prospect of returning to the city she said: "Unfortunately, we do know that it will not be a matter of days."

The fire is growing in size due to high winds but it is "under control", officials say.

The blaze started on Sunday in Canada's oil sands region and many oil sands projects have cut production.

Some people were forced to flee twice: first to temporary refuges south of Fort McMurray then again as the flames grew.

The Canadian government is working on finding temporary housing for families who lost their homes and belongings in the blaze.

There are still no known casualties from the fire but there was at least one vehicle crash with fatalities on the evacuation route.

Scott Long of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency called the blaze "an extreme fire event" and said that rain would be needed to fight it.

Cooler temperatures and rain are forecast, giving hope that it could become easier to contain the blaze.

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Fort McMurray wildfire in numbers

• 49 wildfires in total
• Seven are 'out of control'
• More than 1,100 firefighters
• 145 helicopters
• 138 pieces of heavy equipment
• 22 air tankers