Fort McMurray evacuations cause gridlock on Highway 63

Highway 63 leading out of Fort McMurray was bumper to bumper with traffic as residents are evacuating the city.

A nearby wildfire, which is just seven kilometres away from the Fort McMurray landfill, caused evacuations to be ordered for the Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek, Abasand, and Grayling Terrace neighbourhoods.

Residents were asked to leave by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and to visit the reception centre in Lac La Biche County, with all evacuees being asked to register online or over the phone.

Images taken on Tuesday afternoon shows Highway 63 gridlocked with traffic as evacuees make their way out of the city. Residents in other neighbourhoods have been asked not to leave until the area has been cleared.

The wildfire near Fort McMurray is nearly 21,000 hectares, with a section of Highway 63 closed off for preventative firefighting work.

A Wildfire.
City Hall ice rink

Not feeling very Christmasy

4 degrees for the high on Christmas Eve?  We may not see too much sun today, but yes, 4 degrees for Tuesday’s daytime high is not out of the question; at the time of writing, it was 2 degrees.  Tonight...

Read More >>
Festivus Pole

Festivus thaw?

It doesn’t appear that there are too many grievances to be aired regarding the weather this week, with daytime highs expected to be at or above normal  throughout the week.  On Monday, the sun will make itself visible with a...

Read More >>