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Canadian city evacuated over forest fire threat

Air
Edward Robertson
5 May 2016

A state of emergency has been declared in Alberta, Canada, as one of its cities was evacuated as a forest fire threatens to engulf it.

Alberta iStock_000046148948_Large.jpg

About 88,000 people fled their homes in the western oil city of Fort McMurray as the fire burnt down 1,600 buildings while its airport is also under threat.

Officials have confirmed a hotel north of the main terminal has caught fire while webcams show black smoke engulfing the airport

Further evacuations have taken place about 30 miles to the south of the city which has black smoke pouring out of it which can be seen 40 miles away.

So far fire fighters have been unable to stop the fire which has burnt 18,500 acres since it started on Sunday.