Alberta wildfire

• When did the Alberta wildfire occur?

  May 2016
• Where was the Alberta wildfire ignited?

  In a remote forest area southwest of Fort McMurray
• What caused the Alberta wildfire to become out of control?

  A shift in the wind
• What conditions contributed to the Alberta wildfire?

  Lack of winter snow and warmer temperatures
• How did storms contribute to the wildfire?

  They created positive feedback resulting in lightning strikes
• How many people fled Fort McMurray due to the wildfire?

  90,000 people
• How many homes were burnt down in the wildfire?

  2,400 homes
• What was disrupted due to the Alberta wildfire?

  Power supplies
• Why were water supplies contaminated during the wildfire?

  Untreated water was used to put out fires
• What political debates were sparked by the Alberta wildfire?

  Debates on climate change and future vulnerability
• What did the local government oversee after the wildfire?

  A phased and safe re-entry for residents
• What ecosystem was affected by the Alberta wildfire?

  Boreal forest ecosystem
• What could reignite scorched peat soils?

  Heavy rainfall
• How many tonnes of carbon dioxide were released by the fires?

  Several million tonnes
• What was a significant environmental impact of the wildfire?

  Vast amounts of air pollution
• How much land was destroyed by the Alberta wildfire?

  600,000 hectares
• What were the insurance estimates for damage caused by the wildfire?

  CAN $9 billion
• What percentage of workers from nearby oil sands had to be evacuated?

  ⅓ of workers
• What action did Shell Canada take due to the wildfire?

  Temporarily shut down its mining operations
• What was the estimated cost to the industry due to the wildfire?

  $1 billion
• How was transport affected by the wildfire?

  Airport operations were severely affected
• What methods were used to monitor newly ignited fires?

  Ground and satellite data
• What was the mass evacuation number during the wildfire?

  Over 90,000 residents
• What was used to evacuate oil sands workers?

  Aircraft
• What did the government do after declaring a state of emergency?

  Deployed Canadian armed forces
• What resources were used to tackle the flames?

  Helicopters and water bombers
• How much money did the government give each adult for living expenses?

  $1250
• How much did the Canadian Red Cross receive in donations?

  Exceeding $50 million
• What supported the local government through donations?

  Online registry
• When were residents allowed to return to their homes?

  In June
• What event took place to raise money for recovery in Alberta?

  “Fire aid” concert
• What are the main impacts of the Alberta wildfire?

  • Social: 90,000 fled, 2,400 homes burnt, disrupted power and contaminated water
  • Political: Debates on climate change, phased re-entry, reconstruction programs
  • Environmental: Affected boreal forest, released carbon dioxide, air pollution, ash in water
  • Economic: CAN $9 billion damage, ⅓ oil sands workers evacuated, $1 billion industry cost, transport affected
• What were the responses to the Alberta wildfire?

  • Ground and satellite monitoring
  • Mass evacuation of over 90,000 residents
  • Aircraft for oil sands worker evacuation
  • Deployment of Canadian armed forces
  • Use of helicopters and water bombers
  • Government aid of $1250 per adult
  • Canadian Red Cross donations exceeding $50 million
  • Online registry for local government support
• What were the long-term responses after the Alberta wildfire?

  • Residents allowed to return in June
  • “Fire aid” concert for rebuilding and recovery