✅Case Study - Alberta 2016 Flashcards
How did the climate encourage the start of the wildfire?
Dry conditions and strong winds with low humidity
El Nino caused high temperatures
How much rainfall was seen in Fort McMurray?
41.3mm between January and April, 60% of average
Why did below average precipitation lead to dry vegetation?
Less precipitation meant less snowpack and therefore dry vegetations
What was the highest temperature seen in Fort McMurray?
91 degrees F/33 degrees C
How fast were winds?
22mph
How many people were evacuated?
80,000
How were people physically affected?
Visibility was low due to smoke and people developed breathing difficulties
How was the sense of community impacted?
People’s homes were destroyed, affecting communities
How many homes were destroyed in Fort McMurray?
1600
What percentage of all structures were destroyed?
15%
Why were jobs put at risk?
Operations on oil sands were shut down
How many were housed in the University of Calgary while the blaze was tackled?
2600
How were basic water supplies affected?
Firefighters had to use untreated water to tackle the blaze, so supplies were contaminated
How was the countries economy affected?
Major oil production was shut down, so exports slowed
How many major oil companies suspended operations?
9
How much was production of oil cut down by?
1 million barrels a day. 1/3 of Canada’s output
How many residents were out of work?
90,000
How much was lost in real GDP?
$985 million
Why was the fire likely to smoulder for months?
Because there is thick peat in the area, which can allow it to keep burning
How much CO2 was emitted?
Millions of tonnes, particularly from burning peat
How were rivers and lakes affected?
The ash polluted them
How far was smoke from the fires able to travel?
3400km to the US Gulf Coast
How long were people without electricity for?
More than 14 days
What did the fire fuel politically?
A debate on the possible impacts of climate change
