Case Study: Alberta Wildfires 2016

Question 1

How did the climate encourage the start of the wildfire?

Answer 1

Dry conditions + strong winds with low humidity
El Nino causes high temperatures

Question 2

How much rainfall was seen in Fort McMurray?

Answer 2

41.3mm between January and April - 60% of average

Question 3

Why does below average precipitation lead to dry vegetation?

Answer 3

Less precipitation meant less snowpack and therefore dry vegetations

Question 4

What was the highest temperature seen in Fort McMurray?

Answer 4

33 degrees C

Question 5

How fast were the winds?

Answer 5

22mph

Question 6

How many people were evacuated?

Answer 6

80,000

Question 7

How were people physically affected?

Answer 7

Visibility was low due to smoke and people developed breathing difficulties

Question 8

How has the sense of community been impacted?

Answer 8

People’s homes were destroyed, affecting communities

Question 9

How many homes were destroyed in Fort McMurray?

Answer 9

1600

Question 10

What percentage of all structures were destroyed?

Answer 10

15%

Question 11

Why were jobs put at risk?

Answer 11

Operations in oil sands were shut down

Question 12

How many were housed in the University of Calgary while the blaze was tackled?

Answer 12

2600

Question 13

How were basic water supplies affected?

Answer 13

Fire fighters had to use untreated water to tackle the blaze, so suppliers were contaminated

Question 14

How was the countries economy affected?

Answer 14

Major oil production was shut down, so exports slowed

Question 15

How many major oil companies suspended operations?

Answer 15

9

Question 16

How much was production of oil cut by?

Answer 16

1m barrels a day = 1/3 of Canada’s output

Question 17

How many residents were out of work?

Answer 17

90,000

Question 18

How much was lost in real GDP?

Answer 18

$985 million

Question 19

Why was the fire likely to smoulder for months?

Answer 19

Because there is thick peat in the areas , which can allow it to keep burning

Question 20

How much CO2 was emitted?

Answer 20

Millions of tonnes, particularly from burning peat

Question 21

How were rivers and lakes affected?

Answer 21

The ash polluted them

Question 22

How far was smoke from the fires able to travel?

Answer 22

3400km to the US Gulf Coast

Question 23

How long were people without electricity for?

Answer 23

14+ days

Question 24

What did the fire fuel politically?

Answer 24

A debate on the possible impact of climate change

Question 25

What was used to evacuate oil sands workers?

Answer 25

Aircraft including helicopters

Question 26

What did the Alberta government declare?

Answer 26

a state of emergency

Question 27

Which countries responded with aid?

Answer 27

US, Russia and Australia with helicopters, water-bombers and firefighters

Question 28

How much did the Canadian government provide to evacuees per adult?

Answer 28

$1250

Question 29

How much did the Canadian government provide to evacuees per dependant?

Answer 29

$500

Question 30

How much was collected by the Red Cross in aid?

Answer 30

$50m

Question 31

What was ‘Thunder the Great’?

Answer 31

A gerbil used to help children who had been psychologically affected by the fire

Question 32

What did Justin Trudeau promise to the area?

Answer 32

Long term aid to help the rebuilding For McMurray