Alberta Wildfire 2016 Flashcards
Where did the fire start?
A remote forested area to the south-west of Fort McMurray
When did the fire start?
1st May 2016
When did the fire meet the community of Fort McMurray?
3rd May 2016
Cause: Give 3 reasons why the ground was dry
Lack of winter snowfall
Early snowmelt
Warmer than average temperatures
Cause: Give 2 reasons why vegetation was dry
April temperatures were high
Low humidity
Cause: What was the exact cause of the fire?
It’s unknown- likely to be human induced
Cause: Why did the fire become out of control?
Due to a shift in the wind direction- resulting in the blaze turning northwards towards Fort McMurray
Cause: What caused fires to ignite in front of the main fire, even jumping a 1km river?
Spotting (wind carrying burning embers)
P.E.: How many killed?
0
P.E.: What percentage of homes in Fort McMurray were destroyed?
15%
P.E.: How many forced to flee?
90,000
P.E.: What fraction of oil workers were evacuated?
1/3
S.E.: What were homes left without?
Basic services- electricity and water
S.E.: Why did mains water have to be boiled?
As untreated water was allowed into pipes so firefighters could put out the fires
S.E.: Where were thousands of workers left unemployed and unpaid?
At oil sands
S.E.: Transport links were effected, including the nearby…
Airport
P.E.: How many major oil companies suspended operations? Example company?
9, including Suncor
P.E.: How many barrels of oil were lost per day?
1.2 million for 14 days
S.E.: Give one reason for Canada’s poor economic outlook in 2016
Lost oil royalties
S.E.: Why did world oil prices rise briefly? When did they stabilise?
As the fire could of hit the heart of the oil patch
Stabilised after the fire missed the heart of the oil patch
S.E.: How much will rebuilding add to Alberta’s economy?
$1.3 billion
S.E.: What were the debates about in government?
Possible impacts on climate change
P.E.: How far away did smoke travel, ending up at the Gulf Coast?
3,400km
P.E.: Where did toxic smoke containing mercury come from?
Burning buildings and petrol stations
S.E.: What’s the problem with all the toxic ash left?
No one knows how to dispose of it
S.E.: Parts of the peat could reignite at any time until…
There’s heavy rainfall
S.E.: What will take a long time to recover?
Ecosystems
Scorched tree roots and soil
I.R.: Give 3 ways the fire was monitored
Using satellites
Meteorological data
Ground data
I.R.: Give an example of a satellite that was used
Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership Satellite
I.R.: Give 3 reasons why the fire was monitored
Forecast fires’ track
Issue warnings
Emergency services mobilised
I.R.: Why was ash sampling conducted from the 12th May?
Determine if it was a risk to public health
See if it could be disposed of in land fill
I.R.: How many ash samples were taken from across Fort McMurray?
What substances were they looking for?
136, looking for asbestos and petroleum hyrdocarbons
I.R.: How many residents were escorted to safety in Fort McMurray?
90,000
I.R.: How much did the Canadian government give per adult to cover living expenses?
$1250
I.R.: Give 3 examples of things the Canadian Red Cross did?
Set up 13 call centres
Registered evacuated people
Provided 2,800 hygiene kits across Fort McMurray
I.R.: Name 3 countries who offered their help after the Canadian government declared it was a state of national calamity
USA
South Africa
Russia
I.R.: How many firefighters sent from Canada, USA and South Africa firefighters?
1,000
I.R.: Why was the Alberta Wildfire Info Facebook page set up?
To share information about evacuation- speeding up the process
Help find temporary accommodation
L.R.: What percentage of Canadian Red Cross donations were spent on future planning and preparation?
1.5%
L.R.: What has the Canadian Prime Minister promised?
Long term aid to help with the rebuilding process
L.R.: How many jobs are expected to be created in construction?
9,000
L.R.: What should help boost consumer spending?
Insurance claims being given out
L.R.: How much did the Canadian Red Cross give to small businesses?
$6million
L.R.: What did the Canadian Red Cross give to small businesses that was more important than money?
Professional help and advice
L.R.: When did residents start to return to their homes?
Early June
L.R.: When did Fire Aid take place?
29th June
L.R.: How much did Fire Aid raise?
Over $2 million
L.R.: Where did the money raised by Fire Aid go?
United Way of Fort McMurray’s Fire Recovery Funding Program
L.R.: F.A.- What’s the Support Through Housing Team?
Life skills program preparing people for the future
L.R.: F.A.- What’s the Salvation Army Community Centre?
Stores + distributes donated goods to those who need them most
