A photo from the story Teslinhiker posted above gives some sense of what a monster this 600-square-mile wildfire is:

[img]https://nationalpostcom.files.wordpress....w=940&h=705[/img]

Over the last three days, RCMP-led convoys with military helicopters as spotters have been able to move out most of the evacuees who were stranded north of Fort Mac. At least they have access to essential resources.

It's going to be weeks before anybody will be allowed to return, though. Basically, once essential services have been repaired, every building has to be checked for major hazards. Evacuees are already advertising for rental accommodations, knowing that they are going to be away for some time.

EDIT: Can't get the photo to display. Sorry 'bout that. I suspect the system here can't cope with a URL starting with "https:".