Alberta wildfires

• When did they happen?

  May 2016
• Where was it located?

  Initially in fort McMurray but the wind shifted and spotting was carried out elsewhere
• What climatic reason were there for the outbreak of wildfires?

  A lack of winter snowfall and soaring temperatures in late April meant that the ground dried out as well as any potential tinder
• The intensity of the fires meant that its own weather patterns were established leading to what?

  Lightening, which lead to the ignition of additional fires
• What natural processes could have resulted in unusually warm conditions?

  El Niño
• What Toxins were released into the atmosphere and where?

  Mercury, lead and organic compounds released going as far as the USA and the gulf coast (large scale impact)
• Huge quantities of what had to be disposed of and why?

  waste such as rotting food from freezers and debris from the fire as it was now toxic
• The ash from the fires impacted what?

  The water courses and wildlife
• How many were forced to flee Fort McMurray?

  90,000
• Increased levels of what mental health condition?

  Anxiety, due to people being more informed about climate change there was widespread panic that as climate change became more frequent so would wildfires
• Why did the economy suffer?

  Jobs and livelihood were effected and movement in the area was restricted
• How many homes were burned and damaged?

  2,400
• In Canadian dollars what was the totalled economic damage?

  $9 billion
• In the nearby oil sand industry what proportion of workers had to be evacuated?

  about a third of 25,000
• What transport was heavily effected?

  The nearby international airport
• Who was primarily in charge of overseeing the evacuation programmes and liaison with emergency services?

  The government
• The Alberta government declared a what?

  State of emergency
• Where did extra fire fighters come from?

  USA, Australia and Russia
• The government supplied how many dollars per person and per dependen?


  $1,200 per person and $500 per dependent.
• By the 9th of May how much had the red cross donated?

  $50 million
• In Edmonton what were landlords doing?

  Offering reduced rents to refugees
• What did the Canadian prime minister promise?

  long term help and support