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The Alberta Beast - Coggle Diagram
The Alberta Beast
Responses
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Responses could be well coordinated as meteorological information was used to forecast the likely direction of the fire
Mass evacuation of 90,000 residents
Alberta government declared a state of emergency, which triggered support from the army which provided helicopters, firefighters and water bombs.
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By May 9th (8 days after the start), the Canadian red cross had received $50 million for use in aid. Many landlords offered reduced rents for evacuess
By Jun residents were allowed back to start rebuilding. The prime minister of Canada promised long term aid to help rebuild
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Causes
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Initially under control, but a change in wind direction caused the blaze to tear through the outskirts of Fort McMurray, a town of 71,000 - the 5th largest settlement in Alberta
Spotting occurred, where the wind carried embers that ignited fires well ahead of the fire front. This allowed the fire to jump a 1km wide river
Favourable condition facilitated the spread of the fire. Warmer than average temperatures dried out the ground, and low humidity meant the vegetation was dry. Early spring snowmelt and lack of winter snow fall
Positive feedback loop - in the month following the beginning of the Alberta wildfire, temperatures exceeded 30*c and wind speed increased. This amplified the fires intensity. The intensity of the fire created weather patterns e.g. lightning which directly caused further fires. +ve feedback loop
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Impacts
Social
90,000 evacuated, 2400 buildings destroyed
Drinking water supplies were contaminated with ash, power supplies were disrupted
The fire stimulated political debate about the possible impacts of climate change. Increased levels of anxiety about the future
Economic
Insurance companies estimated the damages at 9 billion. Transport and the international airport were disrupted
1/3 of the 25,000 workers in the nearby oil sand industry were evacuated, costing $ 1 billion to the industry
Enviromental
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Toxins such as mercury and lead from trees and buildings created air pollution. Ash washed into water sources by rain contaminated environment for wildlife
burned 600,000 ha of land
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Started May 1st 2016, under control by July 5th 2016 and fully extinguished on August 2nd 2017