Alberta wildfire

Question 1

what were the causes of the Alberta wildfire?

Answer 1

• precise origin unknown
• ‘spotting’ occurred where the wind carried the burning embers of which ignited ahead of fire
• lack of winter snowfall and an early snowmelt in spring combined with warmer than average temperatures dried out the land
• temperatures exceeded 50c, winds increased
• el niño effect

Question 2

what were the environmental impacts of the fire?

Answer 2

• scorched soils/ destroyed ecosystems
• water pollution due to ash, possible pollution of aquatic life
• several million tonnes of co2 released into the atmosphere

Question 3

what were the social impacts of the fire?

Answer 3

• 90k residents forced to evacuate Fort Mcmurray
• 2400 homes and businesses destroyed
• no deaths
• some water undrinkable due to contamination
• raised levels of anxiety with regards to climate change and such repeated events

Question 4

what were the economic impacts of the fire?

Answer 4

• immediate international airport disruption
• estimated damage =$9bn canadian dollars
• cost shell 1bn as mine forced to shut down and evacuate 25k workers

Question 5

what were the political impacts of the fire?

Answer 5

• fire fuelled debate about possible impacts of climate change and the areas increased vulnerability

Question 6

how did they respond to the event?

Answer 6

• monitoring of newly ignited fires using ground and satellite data
• meterological info used to determine course of fire
• fire warning issues and emergency services mobilised quickly
• mass evacuation of Fort Mcmurray 90k people
• alberta govt declared state of emergency and support from canadian armed forces
• help from australia usa
• govt supported evacuees providing 1250 per adult and 500 per dependent
• June- residents allowed to return
• concert ‘fire aid’ in june 2016 to raise money for those affected= sense of community

Question 7

what improvements came about because of the fire?

Answer 7

• agriculture and forestry to be fully prepared and ready to respond the week after
• improvements made to fire weather forecast materials

Question 8

when/where was the fire?

Answer 8

• May 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire