2016 Fort McMurray wildfire
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On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. On May 3, it swept through the community, forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history, with upwards of 88
Fort McMurray residents evacuating along Highway 63 as the fire encroaches on the area
The wildfire burning near Fort McMurray on May 1, 2016
Aerial view of the flammagenitus cloud created by the fire.
Super 8 motel destroyed by the fire
Athabasca oil sands
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The Athabasca oil sands, also known as the Athabasca tar sands, are large deposits of oil sands rich in bitumen, a heavy and viscous form of petroleum, in northeastern Alberta, Canada. These reserves
2016 Fort McMurray wildfire
…reoccupation due to contamination. The fire continued to spread across northern Alberta and into Saskatchewan, consuming forested areas and impacting Athabasca oil sands operations. With an estimated damage cost of C$9.9 billion (US$7.61 billion), it was the costliest disaster in Canadian history. The fire spread across…
Athabasca oil sands on the banks of the river, around 1900
Athabasca oil sand of the McMurray Formation as seen in drill cores.
Mining operations in the Athabasca oil sands. Image shows the Athabasca River about 600m from the tailings pond. NASA Earth Observatory photo, 2009.
Syncrude's Mildred Lake mine site and plant