Fort McMurray Case Study Flashcards
When did this wildfire occur?
Between May and July 2016
What was the main wildfire called?
The Beast
Where did this wildfire occur?
Near Fort McMurray in Alberta (Canada)
Why was prediction relatively difficult?
Fast-changing winds
What were the causes of the wildfire spread?
- 12 month long drought had dried out vegetation
- Lower than average snowfall across N Canada
- Strong SE winds from the continental interior
How many residents were evacuated?
88,000
How many buildings were damaged?
2,400
Why could some neighbourhoods not be re-occupied?
Heavy metal contamination (e.g. arsenic)
How many of Shell’s Oil Sands workers were evacuated?
1/3 of 25,000
How much economic loss did Shell’s withdrawal cause?
CA$1 billion
How much economic damage did the wildfire cause?
CA$9 billion
How many hectares of land were severely burned?
580,000
What environmental impact did ash cause?
Water pollution and contamination
Which gases were released by burning and pyrolysis?
CO2, CH4 and CO
What happened to global oil prices and why?
Increased as Alberta lost $70 million daily due to Oil Sands closure
Why was the Trudeau government criticised?
Many people believed that the long-term compensation of CA$1250 per adult was insufficient
What was declared across Alberta?
A state of emergency
What did the Canadian Armed Forces provide?
Helicopters and water bombers
What did the Alberta government establish?
An online registry for temporary housing
How much was the rebuilding fund worth?
0.4% of Alberta’s GDP
When were residents phased back in?
From June onwards, following an environmental reconstruction scheme
Which cyclical weather pattern exacerbated the drought?
El Nino
What happened one week after the wildfire began?
PM Trudeau visited and promised ongoing federal aid and assistance
