Alberta declares state of emergency as wildfire forces Fort McMurray evacuation

More than 80,000 residents were ordered to leave the northern Alberta city after shifting winds saw the blaze go from being largely controlled to a “nasty, ugly” inferno as described by the local fire chief. By Wednesday more than 250 firefighters were fighting the fire, assisted by helicopters and air tankers. Officials estimated that 1,600 structures had been damaged or destroyed by Wednesday night