5.4 - Wildfire Case Study

Question 1

When and where did the Alberta wildfire take place?

Answer 1

In May 2016 in Canada’s Alberta province impacting the city of Fort McMurray

Question 2

Outline the impacts of the Alberta wildfire

Answer 2

90,000 evacuated
Burnt 600,000 ha of land
Destroyed 2400 homes

Question 3

How was the wildfire made and how did it grow in size?

Answer 3

Cause unknown but a shift in wind direction caused a blaze that tore the outskirts of Fort McMurray

Question 4

What caused the fire to become more erratic for firefighters?

Answer 4

The fire was ‘spotting’ causing embers to be carried by the wind

Question 5

What happened to the city of Fort McMurray?

Answer 5

85% was saved with nobody dying

Question 6

What did the intensity of the fires cause?

Answer 6

Caused it’s own weather patterns - temperatures >30°C & winds increased

Question 7

Outline the large economic impact on the oil sands industry

Answer 7

1/3 of the 25,000 workers in the industry were evacuated
Shell Canada shut down its Albian Sands mining operation
Costed CAN$1bn

Question 8

Outline the support given to the evacuees of Alberta

Answer 8

The government gave CAN$1250 per adult and CAN$500 per dependant to cover living expenses

Canadian Red Cross given CAN$50mil

Question 9

Outline the long term response to the Wildfire

Answer 9

End of June 2016 - concert ‘Fire Aid’ to raise money for those affected