The wildfire has now grown to some 328 square miles. Some areas to the north that were previously safe for evacuees are now under evacuation orders as well, with winds gusting to 70 kph driving the fire. Here's the view from one of those areas:


When the highway south was overrun by the fire, some 25,000 people headed north. Some are staying at work camps at the major oilsands sites, which have opened their doors to the evacuees. When the highway south can be safely reopened, most people will be headed for Edmonton, and we should be able to accommodate them.

Edmonton school boards have instructed schools to take in children of evacuees without requiring the usual proof of residency; no doubt establishing some aspects of normal life as quickly as possible is very good policy.

Some of the northern oilsands sites have airstrips that can accommodate commercial 737's, and are being used for critical evacuations (such as the evac of the hospital Tuesday) as the Fort Mac airport is shut down.

If I understand correctly, this is the largest evacuation in Canadian history.