Fire officials learn from past in responding to this year's Fort McMurray wildfire

The soakers help protect buildings, homes and vital routes into and out of the Alberta city against wildfire flames that have forced the evacuation of four neighbourhoods. They're just one of the lessons learned after the catastrophic wildfire that scorched the oilsands hub in 2016.

The hoses, six kilometres of them, powered by a battery of 600-horsepower pumps, are an example of how Alberta seems better prepared to face such threats than it was eight years ago. Still, 6,600 evacuated residents are likely to remain out of their homes until at least Tuesday. The rest of the city and other surrounding subdivisions remain under evacuation alert.

The fire moved to within five kilometres of the intersection of Highway 63 and Highway 881, the main southern route out of the municipality, and about six kilometres from the Fort McMurray landfill on the city’s outskirts.Josee St-Onge, an Alberta Wildfire information officer, said favourable winds should push the fire from the city, but weather can change at any point.

Rob Fraser, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, urged residents not to return to their homes after RCMP had to relocate a safety checkpoint outside the community. He said emergency crews need to focus on fighting fires rather than looking out for people heading into harm's way.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Wildfires burning in Western CanadaWildfires in northern Manitoba, evacuations in Fort McMurray, Alta. and Fort Nelson, B.C.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Wildfires near Fort McMurray, Fort Nelson, force 1,000s from their homesCommunities near the northern Alberta B.C. border dealing with early season blazes
Source: TerraceStandard - 🏆 24. / 68 Read more »

Wildfire forces out thousands of residents in parts of Fort McMurray, Alta.FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — Thousands of residents in four neighbourhoods in the southern end of Fort McMurray were ordered out Tuesday as a wildfire threatened the Alberta city, bringing back memories of a devastating fire eight years earlier.
Source: sudburydotcom - 🏆 6. / 89 Read more »

Wildfire forces out thousands of residents in parts of Fort McMurray, Alta.FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — Thousands of residents in four neighbourhoods in the southern end of Fort McMurray were ordered out Tuesday as a wildfire threatened the Alberta city, bringing back memories of a devastating fire eight years earlier.
Source: PGCitizen - 🏆 65. / 51 Read more »

Wildfire forces out thousands of residents in parts of Fort McMurray, Alta.FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — Thousands of residents in four neighbourhoods in the southern end of Fort McMurray were ordered out Tuesday as a wildfire threatened the Alberta city, bringing back memories of a devastating fire eight years earlier.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

Wildfire forces out thousands of residents in parts of Fort McMurray, Alta.FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — Thousands of residents in four neighbourhoods in the southern end of Fort McMurray were ordered out Tuesday as a wildfire threatened the Alberta city, bringing back memories of a devastating fire eight years earlier.
Source: BurnabyNOW_News - 🏆 14. / 77 Read more »