In a story that periodically topped the Daily Business News headlines, the Fort McMurray wildfires in Alberta, Canada, forced the evacuation of 90,000 residents and destroyed ten percent of the city.
In addition to the challenges presented by the fire itself, another concern was around the oil pipelines and production.
While Fort McMurray Mayor Melissa Blake said the first priority was to get temporary modular housing so the shuttered oil companies can get back to pumping one million barrels of oil per day, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said officials have to complete their assessments of the damage, set up transportation, and secure food and supplies before people can return.
“There are hazardous materials and broken power lines. Basic services, gas, water, waste disposal, healthcare and much more needs to be re-established,” said Notley.
According to 570 News, the Fort McMurray wildfires were Canada’s news story of the year, and a timeline of how the events unfolded has been compiled.
From the start of the fire on May 1st, the situation escalated until normal atmospheric conditions broke, causing an inversion which in turn caused the fire to spread rapidly.
Air quality continued to deteriorate towards the middle of May, until firefighters gained an upper hand towards the end of the month. The first evacuees began to return home on June 1st and the fire being brought under control on July 4th.
The Fort McMurray fire is reported to be the costliest disaster in Canadian history for insurers, with estimated total costs of $3.6 billion.
Daily Business News coverage from Matthew J. Silver is linked here, and here. ##
(Image credits are as shown above.)
Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.
