Wildfire forces tens of thousands to flee Canadian oil town

A fast-moving wildfire forced tens of thousands of residents to flee the Canadian oil town of Fort McMurray on Tuesday as flames threatened to destroy the city.

Roads were jammed with people as officials ordered the evacuation of the entire population, which has grown rapidly in recent years and is estimated at nearly 80,000. The isolated city, about 400 miles north of Calgary, sits near some of Canada's largest tar sand oil operations.

Officials are calling it the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta province's history. Photos from residents and local media showed flames igniting the hills around the city, and Alberta emergency officials said an unknown number of buildings had been destroyed.

No casualties have been reported. About 100 firefighters were ordered to pull back Tuesday afternoon as temperatures rose too high to safely fight the fire. Officials said they were worried that fire conditions could worsen Wednesday.

"Our focus is completely and entirely right now on ensuring the safety of people, of getting them out of the city and ensuring they are safe and secure," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said Tuesday afternoon in a televised news conference.

"All Abertans are watching this; all Albertans are with the people of Fort McMurray," Notley said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his sympathies.

"Please please please stay calm and share the road," Fort McMurray Mayor Melissa Blake tweeted after the city was ordered evacuated. 

Fort McMurray is located along the Athabasca River in northeastern Alberta, which is the heart of Canada's tar sand country and a large source of American oil. The town had rapidly grown in recent years to support oil workers.

The fire began Sunday afternoon but changed direction late Monday evening. Officials said trees and brush in the area were dry -- a bad combination along with low humidity and temperatures nearing 90 degrees.

It was not immediately clear whether the fire was threatening any oil operations in the region.

ALSO

Navy SEAL killed in combat in Iraq, U.S. officials say

You can buy Cognac at North Korea's airport, but a SIM card? Not so much.

100 million Brazilians lose WhatsApp after a judge orders a 72-hour shutdown