Canadians are hopeful shifting winds may push wildfire away from the oil sands hub of Fort McMurray

Edmonton, Alberta — Favorable winds are expected to push an “out of control” wildfire away from the tar sands center of Fort McMurray, Alberta, in Canada, officials said Wednesday, a day after thousands of people were evacuated.

Wildfire season started early in Canada this year with several fires across the country’s west, forcing residents from their homes.

The fire, which started last week, caused about 6,600 residents to flee parts of Fort McMurray’s south end. The rest of the city remains on evacuation alert.

Earlier Wednesday, Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz told reports in Fort McMurray that “a large number of residents” also self-evacuated, adding that they could return to their homes “if they live in those areas that are not under an (evacuation) order.”

Butz also said; “The fire is still out of control and in the coming days with the grace of good weather that could change,” and that evacuation orders would likely remain in effect until at least May 21 and residents should plan accordingly.

Now, the shifting winds are giving locals hope that their city will be saved.

Christine Tucker, director of the Alberta Wildfire Information Unit, said during a news conference in the city of Edmonton along with the province’s premier, Danielle Smith, that northwest winds of 10 kilometers are expected ( 6 miles) per hour scare away the fire. “far from the community and away from the road.”

He added that there have been “weaker winds” and added that they are “really favorable… for us.”

Tucker also described the wildfire, which has so far grown to cover about 21,000 hectares (2.4 acres), as “out of control,” but said cooler temperatures will also mean slightly less wildfire activity.

Fort McMurray, which has a population of about 68,000, suffered a devastating fire in 2016 that destroyed 2,400 homes and forced more than 80,000 people to flee.

“I am sure these memories will create fear and uncertainty for many in Fort McMurray. My sympathies are with everyone facing this situation, but safety must remain our top priority,” Smith said.

Butz, the fire chief, said the current wildfire was very different and they were “much better positioned now.” He said it was burning along the ground surface after the previous fire and had much less fuel, and that musket was generating the smoke noticed by locals.

The Smith government announced that those displaced by fire evacuations would be eligible to receive 1,250 Canadian dollars (US$919) per adult and 600 Canadian dollars (US$441) for each child forced to leave their homes.

In the neighboring province of British Columbia, a growing area around the northeastern community of Fort Nelson is under evacuation, with the Parker Lake wildfire burning nearby and the larger Patry Creek wildfire burning to the northwest. Some 4,700 people had to leave their homes.

In Manitoba, about 500 people have been forced to leave their homes in the remote northwest community of Cranberry Portage ahead of a fire measuring more than 300 square kilometers.

In 2023, Canada experienced a record number of wildfires, causing choking smoke in parts of the US and forcing more than 235,000 Canadians to evacuate their communities. No civilians were killed, but at least four firefighters were killed.

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Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.