Fire burns in Fort McMurray as people flee their homes

Fort McMurray is on fire. The wildfire began burning within city limits causing a mandatory city-wide evacuation Tuesday afternoon as more than 80,000 people were forced to flee their homes.

“I’d be surprised if we had a city here tomorrow morning,” said Ian Seggie, who works in the oil sands in Fort McMurray.

In an interview with News Talk Radio, he said people are trying to get out any way they can.

“I’m seeing people walking the highway with suitcases right now,” he told News Talk Radio as he was heading north along Highway 63 Tuesday afternoon.

He was sent home from work in the oil sands before he decided to get out.

“When the local radio station suddenly went off the air that was an indication that your communication lifeline is pretty much ending and it was time to get out of here.”

Seggie and many other residents are heading north to oil camps that are accepting evacuees.

Jennifer Barr is a teacher in Fort McMurray she left work to back up her belongings.

“I’m sitting across from friends homes and I know that they can go up while I’m sitting here,” she told News Talk Radio by phone as she was stuck in traffic.

Her priority is trying to get to back to her family.

“Families are split apart, and it’s just stressful, sitting here watching it just so close,” she said. “We have friends that are … they’re split up in two different directions, they have some people on this side of the fire.”

Barr said she was brainstorming with her daughter on Monday night on how to help those who were evacuated, without realizing that they would be among those forced to flee their homes.

Smoke and flame forced staff of local music radio station Country 93.3 to abandon their studio. Morning host Pete Potipcoe said his northward drive from downtown Fort McMurray to Timberlea, usually takes five minutes, but today it took an hour and a half, all with fire and black clouds of smoke and ash at their back.
 
“It is apocalyptic. I reminds me of a thunderstorm when everything goes dead dark, except it’s nothing but smoke,” he said. “The skies are filled with helicopters and water bombers trying their best.”
 
He described the air as thick and humid as cars struggled to move in bumper to bumper traffic.
 
He is also concerned about his home after hearing reports that the McDonald’s several yards from his home was on fire.  

Photos of the fire are also lighting up social media as people rush to escape. Many people were tweeting about traffic jams getting out of the city.

Our head of emerg mgmt has reached out to counterpart in Alberta to see if SK can help. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ people of Ft McMurray.

— Brad Wall (@PremierBradWall) May 3, 2016

Tonight I spoke with Premier Notley and offered our government’s support to the people of Fort McMurray. We stand ready to help. #ymmfire

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 4, 2016

Downright unbelievable! Never thought we’d ever experience this in #YMM #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/0DRRxBdyHW

— Mike Allen (@MikeAllen_YMM) May 3, 2016

Fire appears to be about 500ft to the west of #hwy63 at beaconhill #ymmfire. Wouldn’t surprise me if they close it. pic.twitter.com/LlL1AaIpiJ

— Tom Albrecht (@ATeamMrA) May 3, 2016

70,000+ residents of Fort McMurray under mandatory evacuation as wildfire rages into city https://t.co/AEhqjlPuvJ pic.twitter.com/KZbJNfJasp

— Jayson Prentice (@SeverePlains) May 4, 2016

Flames visible from Walmart parking lot now #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/G14QjbjSMF

— Glen A. (@Glen_Allan_) May 3, 2016

My harrowing drive evacuating #ymm praying for my friends pic.twitter.com/XGFWfavqR2

— Jordan J Stuffco (@jstuffcocrimlaw) May 3, 2016

Walmart parking lot view #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/FSkLBy2CKF

— Glen A. (@Glen_Allan_) May 3, 2016

A view from @FMCampbellsMus downtown #ymm. Be on the alert in Abasand, Beaconhill & Thickwood. #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/GUg3lf2hVi

— Mike Allen (@MikeAllen_YMM) May 3, 2016

Reports of homes on fire in #FortMcMurray Get Alberta Emergency info HERE: https://t.co/WguS4Im0x7 #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/ZacF7Bnr4c

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 3, 2016

By house leaving Evacuation in Order Fort McMurray #wildfire #ymmfire #ymm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/1ymM3Hgm2T

— Canadian Home Grown (@mary_sexsmith) May 3, 2016

Final look from Abasand. We’re getting out and you should too. #ymm #ymmfire @ctvedmonton pic.twitter.com/3KUyQIPnzE

— Sean Amato (@JSJamato) May 3, 2016

Just got these pics from a Newfoundlander in #FortMcMurray #staysafe #ymmfire https://t.co/myz4kfNF0m pic.twitter.com/4hTQeoGiE7

— 975krock (@975krock) May 3, 2016

🙁 Hoping for the best as friends in Fort McMurray are forced out of their homes. Stay safe first responders pic.twitter.com/JZxje0rfaC

— Sandra (@Sandram_84) May 3, 2016

Evacuation Update: May 3, 3:55 p.m. #ymm #rmwb #ymmfire #fortmcmurray pic.twitter.com/8Bwa4htP9R

— Emergency Services (@FM_EmergService) May 3, 2016

#ymmfire pic.twitter.com/qS8scJzWW7

— Tyler Burgett (@tburgs15) May 3, 2016

Hwy63 and King St. Everyone is fleeing but it’s moving very slow. @ctvedmonton ymm #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/d3u0g4D2WE

— Sean Amato (@JSJamato) May 3, 2016

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

Gridlock on highway 63 as residents try to evacuate the Fort McMurray area. #ymm #FortMcMurray #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/CqwOvNIV4y

— Margeaux Morin (@MargeauxMorin) May 3, 2016

FORT MCMURRAY GOLF COURSE ON FIRE @weathernetwork #ymmfire #ymm pic.twitter.com/TybXhkMqpg

— Canadian Home Grown (@mary_sexsmith) May 3, 2016

Was so close to fire felt like I was in a #tornado #winds #fortmcmurray McMurray #wildfire #ymmfire #ymm@weathernetwork

— Canadian Home Grown (@mary_sexsmith) May 4, 2016