Alberta wildfires

• When


  May 1st 2016- July 5th 2016
• Where


  Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
• Background Info


  -Largest wildfire event in Alberta's history.

  -Nicknamed 'the beast
• Area of Fort McMurray

  -Urban area

  -North East of Alberta

  -Surrounded by boreal forest (a flat plain) and 2 main rivers

  -Several peat bogs within the forest

  -Summers are usually hot 20-25 degrees Celsius and winters range from -5 to -15 degrees Celsius
• Causes/ contributing factors


  -Fire ignited in remote forested area in the south west of Fort McMurray on 1st May 2016.

  -Precise cause of the fire remains unknown

  -Initially the fire was under control, but a shift in the wind direction resulted in a blaze that tore into the outskirts of Fort McMurray.

  -After the first few days of the fire the temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius and winds increased

  -Climate scientists have linked the fire to a strong El Nino effect that may have resulted in the unusually warm and dry spring conditions.

  -El Nino events lead to warmer drier conditions in Alberta, climate change is also making Alberta drier. (link to warm climate pattern)
• Primary Effects (social)


  -2400 buildings burnt down

  - 15% of all structures in town burnt down

  -Power/ electricity supplies disrupted for weeks
• Primary Effects (economic)


  -Major oil companies had to close

  -Damage cost $9 billion across Fort McMurray

  -600 oil work camp units destroyed
• Primary effects (environmental)


  -230,000 hectares burnt

  -Fires released millions of tonnes of co2 into atmosphere.

  -The intensity of the fire severely affected the boreal forest ecosystem due to the scorched soil and burned tree roots.
• Secondary effects (environmental)


  -Intensity of the fire affected the boreal forest ecosystem due to the scorched soil and burned tree roots.

  -Dry and scorched peaty soils could reignite at anytime until the first heavy rainfall.

  -A toxic surge into the Athabasca river after first rainfall

  -Huge amounts of toxic ash and waste to dispose of.

  -Dry and scorched peat could ignite at anytime

  -Watersheds may retain increased levels of nitrogen and co2 which means reduced water quality.
• Secondary effects (social)


  -Firefighters used untreated water to fight fire which meant the water supply became contaminated.

  -Increased levels anxiety about the future
• Secondary effects (economic)


  - 1/3 of all Canada's oil output lost.
• Short term responses


  - 90,000 evacuated from Fort McMurray

  -Aircraft used to evacuate some of the oil sands workers.

  -Alberta government provided $1250 per adult and $500 per dependent to cover living expenses.

  -Neighbouring states provided helicopters, water and firefighters.

  -At Edmonton, an online registry was created to help evacuees find accommodation (link to how globalisation helped the wildfire)
• Long term responses


  -Red cross donated $50 million

  -In June, residents were allowed back in to clear and rebuild

  -A 'Fire Aid' concert took place in Edmonton to raise money for those affected by the disaster.
• When to use this case

  -Impact and human responses as evidenced by a recent wild fire event.

  -Any question about wildfires.