Toronto: Residents of the Canadian oil town menaced by an out-of-control wildfire can breathe a sigh of relief as authorities announced on Saturday that they can return home, albeit with a cautionary note about the ongoing threat posed by the blaze.
Earlier this month, thousands of residents of Fort McMurray, situated in northern Alberta, were compelled to evacuate their homes due to the looming danger of the wildfire. However, a stroke of favorable weather has now paved the way for their return.
“With the current and forecast weather conditions, specifically the amount of rain that has fallen on the fire, combined with continued fire suppression and community protection efforts, I am pleased to announce it is now safe for us to end the current evacuation and allow people to return to their homes,” stated Sandy Bowman, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo encompassing Fort McMurray. She expressed gratitude to the residents for their patience, resolve, and strength during this trying time.
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Fort McMurray holds significant importance as the nucleus of Canada’s oil output. The early onset of the wildfire season, following a historically fiery 2023, has reignited memories of the devastating 2016 fire dubbed “The Beast”. This earlier inferno had necessitated the evacuation of 90,000 residents, claimed 2,400 buildings, and halted over 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of production.
While the current weather conditions offer a reprieve and the immediate threat has subsided, authorities caution that the battle against the wildfire is far from over. Alberta Wildfire information office spokesperson, Josee St-Onge, emphasized that the fire “is not yet under control”. Furthermore, she warned that fire activity is likely to escalate with the return of sunshine and warmer weather.
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Despite the green light for residents to return, it is imperative to acknowledge that the community will continue to grapple with the presence of an active wildfire in its vicinity for weeks, if not months, to come. Taming a wildfire of this magnitude demands sustained efforts and perseverance.
