OT: 9.3 billion dollar wildfire

[Arc weld]

The fire that went through Ft. McMurray has burned 101,000 hectares and they said it could double in size by tomorrow! Glad I'm in Edmonton and not up there. 80,000+ people evacuated. The fire is creating it's own weather and there isn't much rain in the forecast for where it's heading. Devastating to say the least.

 

[dragoneggs]

And unfortunately I think it is going to take mother nature to knock it down. Prayers to all involved.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Once a fire gets that big no man is going to stop it, only God can. If they don't get rain it might become a USA fire, not likely, just saying we can't stop it. Prayers sent. Ed

 

[Al Mac]

As I live on the east coast. One would think that it would not effect us. Well many here have family and friends in Alberta with a large number in Fort Mc. In the last few days we have been following facebook and listening to CBC and looking at reports from the news feeds.
While mother nature is the only one that will bring this fire under control. It is still very early in the wildfire season and Alberta has 45 active fires in many parts of the province.
As this wildfire accelerated so fast it only gave many people of Fort Mc a hour to get out it was just amazing that no lives have been lost.

Al

 

[oosik]

Its somewhat unusual - this fire is 675 miles NNE of Spokane, WA and they have such dry conditions. Around here it would be very difficult to start or maintain any type of wildfire. Give it another month here and we will begin our "normal" wildfire season also.

I feel so sorry for these folks. A wildfire is so frightening and basically there is nothing a person can do but evacuate.

 

[Looking4new]

Alberta is east of the rockies and it is usually dry there.
The forecast for rain has been downgraded to 30% for Sunday overnite and then 30% for Tuesday. They need a good 2 or three day rain, but that is not likely to happen.

 

[dragoneggs]

Its somewhat unusual - this fire is 675 miles NNE of Spokane, WA and they have such dry conditions. Around here it would be very difficult to start or maintain any type of wildfire. Give it another month here and we will begin our "normal" wildfire season also.

I feel so sorry for these folks. A wildfire is so frightening and basically there is nothing a person can do but evacuate.

It does sound surprising on how far north they are and it is dry enough for this catastrophe especially this time of year! Different climate that I am used to for sure.

 

[Looking4new]

It does sound surprising on how far north they are and it is dry enough for this catastrophe especially this time of year! Different climate that I am used to for sure.

Over the past two winters they didn't get much snow and a drought last summer, therefore the ground water is low and everything is tinder dry. It is unusual to be this dry this early into spring. Add to that the early spring heatwave, (80's and 90's) are not normal for this time of year. There is speculation that this fire was NOT caused by lightening.

 

[Reverser]

I bet the smoke gets bad for y'all at times. Depending on which direction the wind is blowing.

 

[Arc weld]

The smoke was bad in Edmonton on Thursday.