Alberta Wildfire (the Beast) Flashcards
What’s the nickname for the Alberta wildfire?
The Beast
When did the fire occur?
May 2016
What city did it affect?
Fort McMurray
Where did the fire start?
Unknown- however it ignited in a remote forested area south west of Fort McMurray
Reasons why the fire spread
- shift in the wind direction
- spotting (wind carried burning embers ahead of the fire which ignited more trees)
How did the fire move so quickly?
Jumped a 1km river in places
Reasons the fire had started
- lack of winter snowfall
- early spring snow melt
- warmer than average temperatures
- low humidity
- dried out vegetation
Weather conditions at the beginning of May
Temperatures exceeding 30°C and increased winds
The fire has been linked to a strong _________
El Niño effect
How many residents were evacuated?
90,000
How many were killed/injured?
0
How many homes/businesses destroyed?
2400
How many hectares of land burned?
600,000
What percentage of the city was saved from the fire?
85%
Where were the worst losses?
Central areas of Abasand and beacon hill
What was severely affected due to scorched soil and burned tree roots?
Boreal forest ecosystem
How much carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere?
Several millions
What toxins were released into the atmosphere?
Mercury and lead
What happened to water courses?
Ash washed into them and contaminated fish and other aquatic life
Social impact on people
Job and livelihoods were effected
What was disrupted?
Power supplies
How much did insurance companies estimate the damage to be?
CAN$9 billion of damage on Fort McMurray
How many workers in nearby oil sands industry had to be evacuated?
1/3 of 25,000
How many work same units were destroyed?
600
