2016 Fort McMurray wildfire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire Horse River Fire
Fort McMurray residents evacuating along Highway 63 as the fire encroaches on the area
Location	Wood Buffalo, Alberta Northern Saskatchewan Canada
Coordinates	56°39′55″N 111°23′00″W / 56.66528°N 111.38333°W / 56.66528; -111.38333
Statistics
Cost	C$9.9 billion (US$7.61 billion)
Date(s)	May 1, 2016 – August 2, 2017 Evacuation: May 3 – June 1, 2016 Provincial state of emergency: May 4 – July 1, 2016
Burned area	589,552 ha (1,456,810 acres)
Land use	Boreal forest, Residential, Oil Sands
Buildings destroyed	3,244
Deaths	0 (direct) 2 (indirect)
Non-fatal injuries	0
Map
Location in Alberta

The wildfire burning near Fort McMurray on May 1, 2016

The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, also known as the Horse River Fire, was a massive wildfire that started southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, on May 1, 2016. This fire quickly grew and swept through the community. It caused the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history. More than 88,000 people had to leave their homes for safety. Firefighters received help from the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other Canadian agencies. Many governments and charities like the Canadian Red Cross also provided aid to those who were evacuated.

The wildfire destroyed about 2,400 homes and buildings in Fort McMurray. Another 2,000 people from three communities could not return home. Their houses were unsafe due to contamination. The fire continued to spread across northern Alberta and into Saskatchewan. It burned vast forests and affected Athabasca oil sands operations. With an estimated damage cost of C$9.9 billion (about US$7.61 billion), it became the most expensive disaster in Canadian history.

The fire burned approximately 590,000 ha (1,500,000 acres) of land. It was declared under control on July 5, 2016. It kept smouldering for a long time. The fire was finally put out on August 2, 2017. Experts believe humans likely caused the fire in a remote area about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Fort McMurray. However, the exact cause has not been officially determined.

How the Fire Grew and Spread

What Caused the Fire to Grow So Fast?

Aerial view of the flammagenitus cloud created by the fire.

A helicopter forestry crew first reported the fire on May 1, 2016. It was in a remote area about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Fort McMurray. First responders arrived 45 minutes later. The official cause of the fire has not been determined. However, it was suspected to be caused by humans.

When the fire started, northern Alberta experienced unusually hot and dry weather. This brought record-setting temperatures to Fort McMurray. On May 3, the temperature reached 32.8 °C (91 °F). The air was also very dry, with only 12% relative humidity. The situation worsened on May 4. Temperatures hit 31.9 °C (89 °F) and winds gusted up to 72 km/h (45 mph).

A natural El Niño weather pattern also contributed to the conditions. It led to a dry fall and winter, followed by a warm spring. This meant there was very little snow, which melted quickly. These conditions, combined with high temperatures, created a "perfect storm" for a fast-spreading wildfire. This greatly helped the fire grow rapidly.

Scientists also mentioned climate change as a possible factor. It may have contributed to the start and spread of the fire. While individual fires cannot be directly linked to climate change, scientists agree it is part of a trend. This trend shows more intense wildfires happening more often.

The Fire Reaches Fort McMurray

As the fire moved towards Fort McMurray, a local state of emergency was declared on May 1. This led to mandatory evacuations for some neighborhoods. On May 3, the mandatory evacuation order was expanded. It covered 12 neighborhoods and then the entire town of Fort McMurray. Nearby communities like Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates, and Fort McMurray First Nation were also evacuated.

About 88,000 people were successfully evacuated. There were no direct deaths or injuries from the fire itself. However, two people died in a car accident during the evacuation. Despite the evacuation, staff at the water treatment plant stayed. They made sure firefighters had enough water.

On May 4, officials reported serious damage in Beacon Hill, Abasand, and Waterways. The Government of Alberta declared a provincial state of emergency. They stated that 1,600 buildings had been destroyed. It was estimated that 10,000 ha (25,000 acres) of land had burned. Evacuees who went north were advised to stay put. The fire was still burning out of control.

The fire crossed Highway 63, threatening the Fort McMurray International Airport. The airport had already stopped flights. The fire was so large and hot that it created its own weather. This included lightning and pyrocumulus clouds, which increased the risk of more fires.

Fighting the Fire and Putting it Out

Satellite imagery of the burn scar left by the wildfire on May 4, 2016

The fire continued to spread south on May 5. It burned across 85,000 ha (210,000 acres). This forced more evacuations in communities that had already taken in thousands of people. The Government of Alberta organized airlifts for about 8,000 people. These people had evacuated to oil sands work camps north of Fort McMurray.

Many resources were used to fight the fire. This included 1,110 personnel, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment, and 22 air tankers. On May 6, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police helped move 1,500 vehicles. These vehicles traveled south from oil sand camps along Highway 63 to Edmonton.

The fire continued to grow out of control. It spread to 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) by May 6 and 200,000 ha (490,000 acres) by May 7. As the fire moved northeast, the community of Fort McKay was also put on evacuation notice. Officials expected the fire to double in size and reach the Saskatchewan border.

Super 8 motel destroyed by the fire

The wildfire kept spreading through remote forests in the following week. It reached oil sands work camps south of Fort MacKay. This forced the evacuation of 19 oil sites and camps, affecting about 8,000 workers. One large lodge with 665 units was destroyed. The fire grew from 285,000 ha (700,000 acres) on May 16 to 504,443 ha (1,246,510 acres) on May 21. It even spread across 741 ha (1,830 acres) into Saskatchewan.

Even though the fire moved away from Fort McMurray, two explosions and poor air quality prevented residents from returning. By May 18, the fire had grown to 423,000 ha (1,050,000 acres). By mid-June, rain and cooler temperatures helped firefighters contain the fire. On July 4, 2016, the fire was declared under control. However, it continued to smoulder in deep layers of moss and dirt throughout the winter.

On August 2, 2017, officials declared the wildfire fully extinguished. This was after no more hot spots were found during thermal surveys.

How the Fire Affected People and the Environment

Damage to Homes and Town Services

Initial estimates on May 4 showed that 1,600 structures in Fort McMurray were destroyed. Firefighters worked hard to protect the downtown area and remaining homes. By May 9, this number was updated to 2,400 structures. About 85 to 90% of the community was reported undamaged. Later, two explosions in the Thickwood and Dickensfield neighborhoods damaged 10 buildings and destroyed three.

The town's power grid was also damaged. Almost all of Fort McMurray was under a boil-water advisory during the fire. This was because untreated water was used to supply firefighters. The advisory was lifted in all areas on August 17, 2016.

Statistics Canada paused its work for the 2016 Census in Fort McMurray. They later found other ways to collect data from residents. This included online submissions and using tax records.

The neighborhoods of Waterways, Abasand, and Beacon Hill suffered the most damage. They were declared unsafe for people to live in. This was due to contamination from arsenic and heavy metals in the ash. Residents could not return to these areas until the end of October 2016.

Impact on Oil Production

Satellite images of the fire at day (May 3, 2016) overnight (May 5, 2016), and its smoke impacts across North America.

The wildfire stopped oil sands production at facilities north of Fort McMurray. Companies like Shell Canada, Suncor Energy, and Syncrude Canada shut down or reduced their operations. Their main goal was to get employees and their families to safety. They also offered their work camps to house evacuees.

On May 7, Syncrude shut down all operations. They moved 4,800 employees out of the area. Later, a work camp called Blacksands Executive Lodge, with 665 rooms, was destroyed by the fire. About 8,000 people were ordered out of 19 camps.

Approximately one million barrels of oil per day were halted in May 2016. This was a quarter of Canada's oil production. This continued into June at a rate of 700,000 barrels per day. The lost oil production cost the Albertan economy $70 million each day. It also contributed to higher global oil prices. Oil companies later restored production.

The High Cost of the Disaster

The Fort McMurray wildfire was the most expensive disaster in Canadian history. Initial insurance estimates were as high as C$9 billion. By July 7, 2016, insured damage reached C$3.58 billion (US$2.75 billion). This surpassed the 1998 ice storms in Quebec and the 2013 Alberta floods.

The 2011 Slave Lake Wildfire cost about $750 million. That fire destroyed one-third of the town of Slave Lake. The Fort McMurray fire caused more damage because Fort McMurray is 10 times larger than Slave Lake. Later estimates suggested insurance payouts could reach C$4.7 billion (US$3.61 billion).

Changes to the Environment

The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire had major environmental effects. These impacts went beyond the area that burned. The fire burned about 590,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of land. This area is similar in size to Prince Edward Island.

Air quality was very bad during and after the wildfire. A study found 188 times when air pollution levels were too high in May 2016. Two monitoring sites in Fort McMurray recorded dangerously high levels of tiny particles in the air. These particles can cause serious health problems.

Research on the fire's impact on air pollution found higher levels of certain chemicals and elements. However, one study suggested that industrial activities were still the main source of most pollutants in the area.

Effects on People's Health

The Fort McMurray wildfire had significant health impacts on residents, evacuees, and firefighters. Many people reported feeling stressed and having mental health problems. This happened during the evacuation and in the years that followed.

More than 25,000 people sought mental health support within three months. This cost an estimated $4.8 million for services. Even three years later, evacuees still faced financial problems. These problems were related to insurance, rebuilding homes, and job loss. These ongoing stresses contributed to lasting mental health challenges.

Firefighters who battled the wildfire also suffered long-term health issues. A study by the University of Alberta found that many firefighters had lung damage years later. This was due to smoke exposure and not enough protection during the long firefighting efforts.

In 2017, the Government of Canada and other partners provided $3.4 million. This money funded research projects. These projects focused on the wildfire's health impacts, especially mental health and the effects of cleanup.

Returning Home and Rebuilding

On May 18, the Alberta government announced a plan for residents to return. This phased re-entry into Fort McMurray was planned between June 1 and 15, 2016. It depended on several key conditions being met. These included the fire no longer being a threat and essential services being restored.

Residents were allowed to return to Fort McMurray and nearby communities in stages. This was based on different residential zones.

The neighborhoods of Waterways, Abasand, and Beacon Hill were badly burned. They were declared unsafe for people to live in. This was due to contamination from arsenic and heavy metals in the ash. About 2,000 residents in these areas could only visit their homes with supervision. They relied on workers from Team Rubicon to help sort through their belongings. Between August 31 and October 24, 2016, residents of 470 homes in these neighborhoods were able to move back.

After the wildfire, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo created a recovery plan. This plan set up a structure for recovery efforts. Recovery funding was estimated to be over $4.5 billion. This included money from governments, the Canadian Red Cross, and insurance companies. By January 2018, 90% of wildfire insurance claims had been processed.

Rebuilding of the affected communities is still ongoing. As of May 2018, 20% of the destroyed homes had been rebuilt. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo updated its Wildfire Mitigation Strategy in January 2018. This strategy included clearing vegetation and improving safety standards. It also focused on educating the public about wildfire threats.

See also

In Spanish: Incendio forestal de Fort McMurray para niños

• Boreal forest of Canada