CANADA - Rachel Notley's message to Fort McMurray residents

A huge wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., destroyed an entire neighborhood and burned homes and businesses in several others Tuesday, and continues to rage out of control. By late afternoon, the entire city of 60,000 had been ordered evacuated. Residents by the thousands fled the fire and for hours caused gridlock on Highway 63, even overwhelming oilsands work camps, where beds and meals were offered. Police were patrolling the highway with cans of gas, after fuel supplies ran out in Fort McMurray, Wandering River and Grasslands.

Fire chief Darby Allen said the entire neighborhood of Beacon Hill "appears to have been lost" and the fire burned many homes in other parts of the city. No buildings were lost in the city's downtown area, Allen said. Despite the devastation, there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries. 

As of 10:30 p.m. MT, officials reported the neighborhoods of Abasand, Wood Buffalo, Dickensfield, and Waterways saw only some damage.  No estimates were available for the number of homes and businesses that were destroyed. Witnesses reported the Flying-J gas station exploded, while the Super 8 Motel and a Denny's restaurant were gutted. 

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INC News, 04/05/2016