The Alberta Wildfire 'The Beast' - H Flashcards
When was the fire
May-June 2016
How long did the fire last
2 months. Some areas were still smouldering until the following spring
Where was the fire
Costliest natural disaster in Canadian History
What do some sources refer to this disaster as
The Fort McMurray Wildfire
How many people were killed or injured
None
How many homes and businesses were destroyed
2400
How many residents had to evacuate
90,000
When could people return
Spring 2017
What were disrupted
Power supplies
How much monetary damage was there to Fort McMurray
$9 billion
How many people had to be evacuated from the tar sands industry
25,000
What percentage of the labour force in Fort McMurray were enjoyed in the oil and gas industry
51%
What was lost in the fire
Thousands of hectares of forest and a huge number of Athabasca oil sands which had a huge economic impact
What is athabasca oil sand
A major sand deposit containing bitumen and heavy crude oil in Alberta
How many barrels of oil were lost per day for 14 days
1.2 million
What was the monetary loss of the oil barrels
$1 billion (0.3% of Alberta’s GDP in 2016)
What did the GDP of Alberta drop to
A negative value as the global price of oil was affected
How much land was burned
600,000 hectares (similar size to the country of Norfolk)
How much carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere
Millions of tonnes
Why was there toxic air pollution
Due to the burning of cars, factories and buildings
Where were Mercury and lead detected
In the Athabasca river and As far away as the Gulf Coast
What did air pollution lead to
The contamination or water supplies
What did ash washing into river affect
Aquatic species
How many species lost their habitat
500 specieis
What has happened to the tree specifies composition and forest type
It has been altered
What was a positive feedback loop that was created
The fire created its own weather patterns, triggering littering, which ignited new fires
What led to further water contiamination
Firefighters used untreated water to control the blaze
What were the short term responses to the fire
Government declared a state of emergency implementing energy operation.
3rd of May - large evacuation ordered.
News coverage and social media were used to good effect to update residents.
Shelters and food were offered to evacuees to meet their basic needs.
Professional firefighters and first responders staged behind to fight the fire.
Offers it help recieved by USA, Australia and Russia.
Alberta health services provided mental health support.
Rotting food waste from damaged freezes had to be disposed of.
What percentage of the city of Fort McMurray was saved
85%
What were the long term human responses
Government of Alberta set up an air and water quality monitoring programme.
Re-entry programme was implemented by government. This commenced in 2016 and continued into 2017.
Evacuees given $1250 for adults and $500 for dependants by government to cover living expenses.
One going mental health and stress support meant $18 million was spent in the first year.
Long term temporary shelters.
Businesses played important role in recovery and clear up. $1000 granted by the Canadian Red cries to small businesses to encourage local contractors back to work.
‘Buy local’ campaign introduced.
Public transport links repaired and put to use. Which encouraged people to move about and stimulate economic development.
Government increased investment in the mitigation of natural disasters. 3 programmes designed: disaster preparedness, FireSmart and Flood mitigation. Success of these schemes is yet to be seen.
At the end of June a benefit concert ‘Fire Aid’ took place to raise money for those affected
