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IN PHOTOS: The Fort McMurray fire that displaced 80,000 people

A raging wildfire forced the evacuation of the entire northern Alberta city of Fort McMurray this week as the inferno destroyed much of the oilsands city.

The wildfire destroyed more than 1,600 structures before it exploded in size, covering more than 100,000 hectares as of Friday morning.

More than 80,000 people were forced to flee Fort McMurray and seek refuge in southern communities.

On Wednesday, the province declared a provincial state of emergency.

Here’s a look at the devastating disaster in photos.

A wildfire moves towards the town of Anzac from Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday May 4, 2016. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
Evacuees watch the wildfire near Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday May 4, 2016. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
A helicopter flies past a wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday May 4, 2016. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
A plume of smoke hangs in the air as forest fires rage on in the distance in Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 4, 2016. Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke fills the air and trees burn in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Kitty Cochrane/The Canadian Press
Smoke fills the air as a small plane flies overhead in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Kitty Cochrane/ The Canadian Press
A wall of fire rages outside of Fort McMurray, Alta. Tuesday May 3, 2016. Mary Anne Sexsmith-Segato/ The Canadian Press
A wall of fire rages outside of Fort McMurray, Alta. Tuesday May 3, 2016. Mary Anne Sexsmith-Segato/ The Canadian Press
Smoke fills the air as cars line up on a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016. Greg Halinda/The Canadian Press
Smoke from a wildfire fills the sky in downtown Fort McMurray on Sunday, May 1, 2016. Greg Halinda/ The Canadian Press
A wildfire rages through Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday May 4, 2016. Jason Franson/ The Canadian Press
Drivers wait for clearance to take firefighting supplies into town on May 05, 2016 outside of Fort McMurray. Scott Olson/Getty Images
A wildfire rages through Fort McMurray Alta, on Wednesday May 4, 2016. Jason Franson/ The Canadian Press
Smoke rises above trees as a wildfire burns in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday May 4, 2016. Jason Franson/ The Canadian Press
Drivers wait for clearance to take firefighting supplies into town on May 05, 2016 outside of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Firefighters assemble on Highway 63 near Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 5, 2016. Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
Tyra Abo sits on a cot at a makeshift evacuee centre in Lac La Biche, Alberta on May 5, 2016, after fleeing forest fires north of Fort McMurray. Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
An evacuee from the Fort McMurray wildfire sleeps on chairs at the evacuation centre in Lac La Biche, Alta., Thursday, May 5, 2016. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Evacuees from the Fort McMurray wildfires collect donated necessities at the evacuation centre in Lac La Biche, Alta., Thursday, May 5, 2016. Jeff McIntosh/ The Canadian Press
A displaced resident looks at the fire on their mobile phone at a makeshift evacuee centre in Lac La Biche, Alberta on May 5, 2016, after fleeing forest fires north of Fort McMurray. Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
An aerial view of the wildfires in the Fort McMurray area is seen from a CH-146 Griffon on May 4, 2016. MCpl VanPutten/Canadian Armed Forces
An aerial view of the wildfires in the Fort McMurray area is seen from a CH-146 Griffon on May 4, 2016. MCpl VanPutten/Canadian Armed Forces
An aerial view of the wildfires in the Fort McMurray area is seen from a CH-146 Griffon on May 4, 2016. MCpl VanPutten/Canadian Armed Forces
Evacuees leave Fort McMurray in the early morning after being stranded north of wildfires which have been raging in the northern Alberta city on Friday, May 6, 2016. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press
People use the Internet at a makeshift evacuee centre in Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada, on May 5, 2016 after fleeing forest fires in Fort McMurray. Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
Marlee Hildebrandt and her daughter Oakley Hildebrandt, 2, clean cots at a makeshift evacuee centre in Lac La Biche, Alberta on May 5, 2016, after fleeing forest fires north of Fort McMurray. Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
A wall of fire rages outside of Fort McMurray, Alta. Tuesday May 3, 2016. Mary Anne Sexsmith-Segato/The Canadian Press
Photos of the devastating wildfire burning through Fort McMurray. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer
Firefighters work through the night to battle the Fort McMurray wildfire. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer
A firefighter takes a rest from battling a wildfire in Fort McMurray. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. (CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer). CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer

 

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Another look at a devastating wildfire as it rips through Fort McMurray. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer
Another look at a devastating wildfire as it rips through Fort McMurray. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer
Firefighters take a rest from battling a wildfire in Fort McMurray. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. (CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer). CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer
A look at the catastrophic damage caused by a wildfire in Fort McMurray. Uploaded to Facebook by a firefighter and EMT with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on May 6, 2016. Date and exact location of photo is unknown. CREDIT: Facebook/ Troy Palmer

 

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