Alberta Wildfire 2016

Question 1

Where did the fire start?

Answer 1

A remote forested area to the south-west of Fort McMurray

Question 2

When did the fire start?

Answer 2

1st May 2016

Question 3

When did the fire meet the community of Fort McMurray?

Answer 3

3rd May 2016

Question 4

Cause: Give 3 reasons why the ground was dry

Answer 4

Lack of winter snowfall
Early snowmelt
Warmer than average temperatures

Question 5

Cause: Give 2 reasons why vegetation was dry

Answer 5

April temperatures were high

Low humidity

Question 6

Cause: What was the exact cause of the fire?

Answer 6

It’s unknown- likely to be human induced

Question 7

Cause: Why did the fire become out of control?

Answer 7

Due to a shift in the wind direction- resulting in the blaze turning northwards towards Fort McMurray

Question 8

Cause: What caused fires to ignite in front of the main fire, even jumping a 1km river?

Answer 8

Spotting (wind carrying burning embers)

Question 9

P.E.: How many killed?

Answer 9

0

Question 10

P.E.: What percentage of homes in Fort McMurray were destroyed?

Answer 10

15%

Question 11

P.E.: How many forced to flee?

Answer 11

90,000

Question 12

P.E.: What fraction of oil workers were evacuated?

Answer 12

1/3

Question 13

S.E.: What were homes left without?

Answer 13

Basic services- electricity and water

Question 14

S.E.: Why did mains water have to be boiled?

Answer 14

As untreated water was allowed into pipes so firefighters could put out the fires

Question 15

S.E.: Where were thousands of workers left unemployed and unpaid?

Answer 15

At oil sands

Question 16

S.E.: Transport links were effected, including the nearby…

Answer 16

Airport

Question 17

P.E.: How many major oil companies suspended operations? Example company?

Answer 17

9, including Suncor

Question 18

P.E.: How many barrels of oil were lost per day?

Answer 18

1.2 million for 14 days

Question 19

S.E.: Give one reason for Canada’s poor economic outlook in 2016

Answer 19

Lost oil royalties

Question 20

S.E.: Why did world oil prices rise briefly? When did they stabilise?

Answer 20

As the fire could of hit the heart of the oil patch

Stabilised after the fire missed the heart of the oil patch

Question 21

S.E.: How much will rebuilding add to Alberta’s economy?

Answer 21

$1.3 billion

Question 22

S.E.: What were the debates about in government?

Answer 22

Possible impacts on climate change

Question 23

P.E.: How far away did smoke travel, ending up at the Gulf Coast?

Answer 23

3,400km

Question 24

P.E.: Where did toxic smoke containing mercury come from?

Answer 24

Burning buildings and petrol stations

Question 25

S.E.: What’s the problem with all the toxic ash left?

Answer 25

No one knows how to dispose of it

Question 26

S.E.: Parts of the peat could reignite at any time until…

Answer 26

There’s heavy rainfall

Question 27

S.E.: What will take a long time to recover?

Answer 27

Ecosystems

Scorched tree roots and soil

Question 28

I.R.: Give 3 ways the fire was monitored

Answer 28

Using satellites
Meteorological data
Ground data

Question 29

I.R.: Give an example of a satellite that was used

Answer 29

Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership Satellite

Question 30

I.R.: Give 3 reasons why the fire was monitored

Answer 30

Forecast fires’ track
Issue warnings
Emergency services mobilised

Question 31

I.R.: Why was ash sampling conducted from the 12th May?

Answer 31

Determine if it was a risk to public health

See if it could be disposed of in land fill

Question 32

I.R.: How many ash samples were taken from across Fort McMurray?
What substances were they looking for?

Answer 32

136, looking for asbestos and petroleum hyrdocarbons

Question 33

I.R.: How many residents were escorted to safety in Fort McMurray?

Answer 33

90,000

Question 34

I.R.: How much did the Canadian government give per adult to cover living expenses?

Answer 34

$1250

Question 35

I.R.: Give 3 examples of things the Canadian Red Cross did?

Answer 35

Set up 13 call centres
Registered evacuated people
Provided 2,800 hygiene kits across Fort McMurray

Question 36

I.R.: Name 3 countries who offered their help after the Canadian government declared it was a state of national calamity

Answer 36

USA
South Africa
Russia

Question 37

I.R.: How many firefighters sent from Canada, USA and South Africa firefighters?

Answer 37

1,000

Question 38

I.R.: Why was the Alberta Wildfire Info Facebook page set up?

Answer 38

To share information about evacuation- speeding up the process
Help find temporary accommodation

Question 39

L.R.: What percentage of Canadian Red Cross donations were spent on future planning and preparation?

Answer 39

1.5%

Question 40

L.R.: What has the Canadian Prime Minister promised?

Answer 40

Long term aid to help with the rebuilding process

Question 41

L.R.: How many jobs are expected to be created in construction?

Answer 41

9,000

Question 42

L.R.: What should help boost consumer spending?

Answer 42

Insurance claims being given out

Question 43

L.R.: How much did the Canadian Red Cross give to small businesses?

Answer 43

$6million

Question 44

L.R.: What did the Canadian Red Cross give to small businesses that was more important than money?

Answer 44

Professional help and advice

Question 45

L.R.: When did residents start to return to their homes?

Answer 45

Early June

Question 46

L.R.: When did Fire Aid take place?

Answer 46

29th June

Question 47

L.R.: How much did Fire Aid raise?

Answer 47

Over $2 million

Question 48

L.R.: Where did the money raised by Fire Aid go?

Answer 48

United Way of Fort McMurray’s Fire Recovery Funding Program

Question 49

L.R.: F.A.- What’s the Support Through Housing Team?

Answer 49

Life skills program preparing people for the future

Question 50

L.R.: F.A.- What’s the Salvation Army Community Centre?

Answer 50

Stores + distributes donated goods to those who need them most