Weather and Natural Disasters

Fort McMurray inferno: Scenes from a Canadian disaster

Adam Jeffery
WATCH LIVE

Fort McMurray inferno

Smoke billows from the Fort McMurray wildfires as a truck drives down the highway in Kinosis, Alberta, Canada, May 5, 2016.
Mark Blinch | Reuters

Massive wildfires spread out of control in and near Fort McMurray, Alberta, as strong wind push flames south. Several towns in the oil-rich region have already been completely evacuated as the flames have already engulfed and destroyed much of the city. Over 100,000 people have been evacuated and emergency workers have been airlifting thousands to safety.

This wildfire may be the costliest disaster in Canadian history, and as strong winds persist, the cost, damage and devastation will only continue to grow.

Here are scenes from the disaster.

— By CNBC's Adam Jeffery
Posted 6 May 2016

Fort McMurray in ashes

A Mountie surveys the damage on a street in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada in this May 4, 2016 image posted on social media.
RCMP | Reuters

A Mountie surveys the damage on a street in Fort McMurray in this May 4 photo. The raging wildfire emptied Canada's main oil sands city and destroyed entire neighborhoods of Fort McMurray.

RCMP continues evacuation efforts.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Alberta officers are seen during search, rescue and evacuation efforts as they respond to wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.
RCMP | Reuters

Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police meet during search and rescue operations in Fort McMurray, May 4.

Fleeing the flames

An evacuee puts gas in his car on his way out of Fort McMurray, Alberta, as a wildfire burns in the background Wednesday, May 4, 2016. The raging wildfire emptied Canada's main oil sands city, destroying entire neighborhoods of Fort McMurray, where officials warned Wednesday that all efforts to suppress the fire have failed.
Jason Franson | The Canadian Press via AP

An evacuee puts gas in his vehicle on his way out of Fort McMurray as a wildfire burns in the background May 4.

Seeking shelter

A young girl sits as evacuees from the Fort McMurray wildfires rest in the sleeping area at the "Bold Center" in Lac la Biche, Alberta, Canada, May 5, 2016.
Mark Blinch | Reuters

A young girl sits as evacuees from the Fort McMurray wildfires rest in the sleeping area at the Bold Center in Lac la Biche, Alberta, May 5.

Evacuation gridlock

Smoke fills the air as people drive on a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. At least half of a northern Alberta city was ordered evacuated Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.
Greg Halinda | The Canadian Press | AP

Smoke fills the air as evacuees clog a road in Fort McMurray, on May 3.

Burned-out neighborhood

Smoke rises in a burned-out neighbourhood in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada in this May 6, 2016 handout photo, after wildfires forced the mass evacuations of the areas around Fort McMurray.
Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority | Reuters

Smoke rises in a burned-out neighborhood in Fort McMurray in this May 6 handout photo.

In search of shelter

Fort McMurray resident Crystal Maltais buckles in her daughter, Mckennah Stapley, as they prepare to leave Conklin, Alberta, for Lac La Biche after evacuating their home in Fort McMurray on Tuesday May 3, 2016.
Topher Seguin | Reuters

Fort McMurray resident Crystal Maltais buckles in her daughter, Mckennah Stapley, as they prepare to leave Conklin, Alberta, for Lac La Biche after evacuating their home in Fort McMurray on May 3.

David vs. Goliath

A helicopter flies into thick smoke while battling a major forest fire outside of Fort McMurray May 4, 2016.
Topher Seguin | Reuters

A firefighting helicopter tries to contain the flames, May 4.

Exhausted firefighters take rest

Strathcona County, Alberta firefighters are seen taking a break from wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta in this photo posted on twitter on May 5, 2016.
Strathcona Fire | Reuters

Strathcona County firefighters take a break in Fort McMurray.

Supply shortage

Residents of Fort McMurray line up outside a grocery store after they were ordered to be evacuated due to a raging wildfire, in Anzac, Alberta, Canada May 4, 2016.
Topher Seguin | Reuters

Residents of Fort McMurray line up outside a grocery store after they were ordered to be evacuated, May 4.

Evacuees seek safety

Evacuees Erin Naughton (R) and Niel Ripplinger from the Fort McMurray wildfires, pour gasoline into a generator at the Christina Lake campground in Conklin, Alberta, Canada, May 5, 2016.
Mark Blinch | Reuters

Fort McMurray evacuees Niel Ripplinger (l) and Erin Naughton pour gasoline into a generator at the Christina Lake campground in Conklin, May 5.

Fires rage through the night

A truck drives on a highway as a wildfire burns south of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. A fire fueled by shifting winds that forced more than 80,000 people to flee their homes and threatened the business district of oil-sands hub Fort McMurray, Canada, raged out of control Wednesday after consuming 80 square kilometers (30 square miles) of land and damaging 1,600 buildings.
Darryl Dyck | Bloomberg | Getty Images

A truck drives on a highway as a wildfire burns south of Fort McMurray, May 4.

Aerial view

An aerial view from the helicopter of Alberta Premier Rachel Notley shows smoke rising from raging wildfires which caused the mandatory evacuation of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada May 4, 2016.
Cheryl Oates | Government of Alberta | Reuters

An aerial view from the helicopter of Alberta Premier Rachel Notley shows smoke rising from raging wildfires, May 4.