Weather eases Canadian oil sands city wildfire menace

Fort McMurray, Canada – AFP

Rain and cooler weather have halted the advance of a huge wildfire threatening the Canadian city of Fort McMurray in a major oil-producing region, officials said Thursday.

There was no immediate threat to oil sands mines but production of more than 2 million barrels per day could be in jeopardy if the situation worsens.

Meanwhile, greenhouse emissions from the fires across Western Canada have hit a new high.

Alberta Wildfire spokeswoman Josee St-Onge told a news conference a fire southwest of Fort McMurray was still considered out of control, after scorching almost 21,000 hectares (52,000 acres) of forest.

But it has not gotten any closer to the city since Wednesday when it was 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) away.

“The wildfire was much less active thanks to cooler temperature and reduced winds,” St-Onge said, “providing a good window for firefighters to make progress” battling the blaze.

Of course, she added, the threat has not dissipated. “It will take time and hard work to put out a wildfire of this size,” possibly months, she said.

A smokey haze continued to linger over the city on Thursday. Storm clouds rolled in, further darkening the skies as streets remained mostly empty.

“The next few days will be very important,” mayor Sandy Bowman said.

If all goes well, more than 6,000 residents who were ordered evacuated last weekend may be allowed to return home as early as next Tuesday.