Canada wildfire forces mass evacuation in Fort McMurray

The entire population of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray has been forced to evacuate because of a huge wildfire. Some 80,000 people were told to leave as the blaze swept into the city, which is the gateway to the oil sands region. Homes, petrol stations and a hotel are among the buildings destroyed in the city, in the province of Alberta. There was gridlock on roads. Many fled north after flames forced the closure of the main road south. No casualties have been reported so far. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley called it the "biggest evacuation... in the history of the province". She said the priority was to get people safely out of the city and find enough spaces in evacuation camps for everybody. Emergency shelters have been set up in oil sands work camps to the north of Fort McMurray. Blaze outside Fort McMurray on 3 May 2016Image copyrightAP Image caption The blaze moved quickly towards Fort McMurray, forcing a mandatory evacuation Traffic queues on a road out of Fort McMurray on 3 May 2016Image copyrightAP Image caption There were queues of traffic as people fled the city Blaze at Fort McMurray on 3 May 2016Image copyrightReuters Image caption Dozens of homes and buildings have gone up in flames Smoke fills the air as a plane flies over Fort McMurrayImage copyrightAP Image caption Around 100 firefighters are tackling the blaze, backed up by helicopters and air tankers with reinforcements on their way Fort McMurray: Canada's 'manliest' city On its tourism website, Fort McMurray describes itself as the "gateway to the north" - a region which is home to the third largest reserves of oil in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. It may be remote, but Fort McMurray's proximity to Canada's rich oil sands has helped it to become a hugely prosperous place, drawing oil workers from across the world. It is not strictly speaking a city, but such has become Fort McMurray's importance in the region that it is commonly referred to as one. Canada's National Post called Fort McMurray 'Canada's manliest city' where men outnumber women by roughly three to two. One of the town's many motorhome parks has been destroyed. Brian Jean, the leader of Alberta's opposition party, said: "Our hospital is on fire, where my children were born. "My home of the last 10 years and the home I had for 15 years before that are both destroyed," he added. Another resident, Carol Christian, who fled with her son and cat said it was an "overwhelming feeling to think that you'll never see your house again". She said sitting in traffic was "absolutely horrifying". "You look up and then watch all the trees candle-topping... up the hills where you live, and you're thinking: "Oh my God. We got out just in time." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his concerns. Justin Trudeau tweets: Tonight I spoke with Premier Notley and offered our government’s support to the people of Fort McMurray. We stand ready to help. #ymmfireImage copyright@JustinTrudeau Around 100 firefighters are tackling the blaze, backed up by nine air tankers and more than a dozen helicopters, officials say. Reinforcements are on their way. The fire started on Sunday south of Fort McMurray, some 380km (235 miles) north of the provincial capital, Edmonton. Fire officials had the blaze contained until early Tuesday, when high temperatures and strong winds pushed the flames towards the city. map Have you been affected by the wildfire? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk Upload your pictures / video here Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100 Or use the form below Your contact details Name Your E-mail address (required) Town & Country Your telephone number Comments (required) If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.