Major forest fire in Fort Mac

If you're on your way up here there's a major fire just south of town. The area on one side of the highway is being evacuated from the Flying J and South. If it progresses there is a chance they will shut down the highway. Currently 4 bombers and 4 helis battling this blaze as well as ground crews.

 

http://www.mymcmurray.com/three-wildfires-burning-near-fort-mcmurray

 

No kidding. The one they mentioned that was North of town literally made it to within 30 feet of the back fence of my employer's yard. We had bombers flying over the yard within minutes dumping water. Mad panic getting trucks pulled out of the way so fire crews could get in. We got evacuated when the fire got too close. That one is contained and it looks like nothing was lost. They just expanded the evacuation for the south fire though.

 

I'm starting to get a little nervous now. I live about 2km from the latest evacuation area. Don't think this'll be a very restful night.

 

So far so good. Fire advanced 3k overnight and is within 1k of the highway 63. I think I'll be cancelling my run south today. Don't want to be stuck out of town if it gets closer and they shut down the highway. Apparently the fire was 120 hectares last night and is over 900 this morning.

 

Well all Hell's breaking loose. 63 is shut down. Was working down south but managed to sqeak through and grab my bug out bag. Fire's now less than half a kilometer from my home. Its so depressing watching your neighbour's homes go up in flames. I ain't a religious man by any means but prayers to everyone here. We're down but not out yet.

 

Its chaos man. The whole town is under evacuation.