Raging Fire Threatens To Reduce Fort McMurray To Ashes, Engulf Airport

"A massive wildfire that has forced all 88,000 people to flee the western Canadian oil city of Fort McMurray and burned down 1,600 structures is now threatening its airport and communities well south of the town, authorities said on Wednesday.

With a few neighborhoods already in ruins, worsening fire conditions Wednesday pushed walls of flames toward thousands of more homes in the northeastern Alberta town, in the heart of Canada's oil sands region.

The winds also pushed flames toward the local airport, with webcam images showing black smoke engulfing the airport late on Wednesday evening. Officials confirmed that a hotel north of main terminal had caught fire."

Rod Nickel reports for Reuters May 5, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Here’s the Climate Context For the Fort McMurray Wildfire" (Climate Central)

"Climate Change Might Be Causing Massive Canadian Wildfires, Experts Say" (Huffington Post)

"Alberta Wildfire Set To Be Canada's Costliest Natural Disaster" (Reuters)