FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Downtown Fort McMurray is under an evacuation notice as a wildfire whipped by winds is engulfing homes on the outskirts of the northern Alberta community.
The Rural Municipality of Wood Buffalo says people should leave immediately and head for a lodge about 20 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
Pictures posted on Twitter show long lines of traffic and skies darkened by thick smoke as flames lick the edges of roads.
Several flight at Fort McMurray International Airport have been delayed or cancelled, but the airport remains open. Flightaware.com is showing 33% of arriving flights cancelled.
Air Canada’s website says “flights may be impacted due forest fires and evacuation of Fort McMurray. Air Canada and Air Canada Express advise that flights to, from or connecting through the airport(s) listed may be delayed or cancelled due to the event described.”
Fort McMurray International airport is open. Please check directly with your airline for updates to your flight status.
— FortMcMurray Airport (@FlyYMM) May 3, 2016
What it looked like today at Fort McMurray International Airport as the fire and smoke approached. #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/uKNT5wkoZj
— BuzzFeed Canada (@BuzzFeedCanada) May 4, 2016
