Giant wildfire turns Canadian oil country into a post-apocalyptic nightmare

By Katie Herzogon May 4, 2016Share

A massive wildfire is destroying everything in its path in a remote town located in the region of Canada that holds the third-largest oil reserves in the world. Nearly 90,000 residents of Fort McMurray have fled the flames, which have already consumed entire neighborhoods.

As 19-year-old resident Cassie White fled, she saw the gas station explode. “It almost looks like a zombie apocalypse,” she told The Globe and Mail. “At the time, I didn’t know if I was going to make it out … I felt like I was in a vacuum bag and all the air was being sucked out.”

While homes burn, the fire has left the nearby Athabasca oil sands unscathed. That could change; Fort McMurray Fire Chief Darby Allen called the fire a “moving animal.”

The massive fire in Fort McMurray comes unusually early in the year. It’s an increasingly common occurrence thanks to climate change, which is lengthening the wildfire season and increasing fires’ intensity. Last year’s wildfires were among the most damaging in history. If this early May fire is any indication, that is sure to continue this year. Perhaps it is fitting that Shell, a company directly responsible for a great degree of climate change, has been forced to shut down operations in the area. More oil companies are expected to follow.

See scenes from the conflagration below.

Here’s how you can help as the #FortMacFires continue to rage: http://bit.ly/1q0Qspk Image: Facebook/Raz Dee #YmmFire #FortMcMurray #solidarity

A photo posted by rabble.ca (@rabbleca) on May 4, 2016 at 11:22am PDT

Wildfire sure picked up in the last 1/2 hour #yikes #worried #ymm

A photo posted by Thomas Vogt (@thomasvogt) on May 3, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

A photo posted by Adam King (@adamking107) on May 4, 2016 at 2:33am PDT

#gettingoutoftown #leavethetruck #bikesarefaster #FortMacsburning

A photo posted by John Ward (@johnward101) on May 3, 2016 at 10:46pm PDT

#prayforfortmcmurray

A photo posted by Imoudu Ibrahim (@imoudu.13) on May 3, 2016 at 10:13pm PDT

Absolutely devastating what is happening in Fort McMurray right now. So thankful we have an incredibly hard working crew fighting this relentless fire. Hoping everyone made it to safety, relieved to report that my friends and family are safe. My heart goes out to all. Taken at 2pm, on the way back from site, by helicopter. #ymmfire #aerialphotography #fortmcmurray #ymm #heartbreak #wildfire #rmwb #alberta #forestfire

A photo posted by Melissa Dubé (@melissa.dube) on May 3, 2016 at 9:51pm PDT

This is traumatizing to witness???? #SeekRefuge #Pray4FortMac????

A photo posted by @zaiffy on May 3, 2016 at 9:23pm PDT

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Giant wildfire turns Canadian oil country into a post-apocalyptic nightmare