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WATCH ABOVE: Aerial footage from above Fort McMurray looks at the destruction in the Abasand and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods. This comes days after more than 80,000 people were forced from their homes due to a raging wildfire – May 7, 2016
Global News has obtained aerial footage of the devastation caused by the Fort McMurray wildfire in the community’s Abasand and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods.
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The beginning of the chopper video shows several homes burned to the ground in the Abasand neighbourhood. Next, the helicopter flies south over the Beacon Hill neighbourhood where more homes appear levelled.
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DigitalGlobe via AP
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DigitalGlobe via AP
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DigitalGlobe via AP
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DigitalGlobe via AP
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This May 5, 2016, image provided by DigitalGlobe shows a view of Alberta, Canada from its WorldView-3 satellite in false-color. The satellite, which "sees" the the world in eight spectral bands, has the ability to use Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) technology to see through the smoke of the wildfire in Alberta. The yellow areas are those that have been burned by the fire, the purple areas are healthy vegetation, and the bright spots are where the fire is actively burning.
DigitalGlobe via AP
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This May 5, 2016, image provided by DigitalGlobe shows a view of Alberta, Canada from its WorldView-3 satellite in false-color. The satellite, which "sees" the the world in eight spectral bands, has the ability to use Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) technology to see through the smoke of the wildfire in Alberta. The yellow areas are those that have been burned by the fire, the purple areas are healthy vegetation, and the bright spots are where the fire is actively burning.
DigitalGlobe via AP
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This May 5, 2016, image provided by DigitalGlobe shows a view of Alberta, Canada from its WorldView-3 satellite in false-color. The satellite, which "sees" the the world in eight spectral bands, has the ability to use Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) technology to see through the smoke of the wildfire in Alberta. The yellow areas are those that have been burned by the fire, the purple areas are healthy vegetation, and the bright spots are where the fire is actively burning.
DigitalGlobe via AP
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However, some homes in both neighbourhoods were spared by the flames.
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While it’s unknown how many homes in each neighbourhood were destroyed, earlier this week the province estimated a total of 1,600 structures had been lost in Fort McMurray. A majority of the downtown remained in tact, according to the province, including some major infrastructure including the hospital and city hall.
The fire remained out of control Saturday, and growing by the day. As of Saturday afternoon, the wildfire covered 156,000 hectares and was anticipated to double in size by the end of the day, likely combining with a smaller fire to the northeast and reaching the Saskatchewan border.
“We could see that this fire be up over 250,000, potentially 300,000 hectares by end of day,” Chad Morrison, senior manager of Wildfire Prevention with the Alberta government, said Saturday afternoon.
Convoys of vehicles continued to make their way south through the community Saturday, as those evacuees who were forced north of Fort McMurray earlier this week made their way to safety.
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It was hoped everyone who was forced up north would be able to make their way through the fire ravaged community Saturday, Premier Rachel Notley said.
More than 500 firefighters are battling the blaze in and around Fort McMurray, along with 15 helicopters, 14 air tankers and 88 other pieces of equipment, the province said Saturday.
About 30 more firefighters were set to arrive Saturday night from communities across Alberta.
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A look at the size of the Fort McMurray wildfire as of 11 a.m. MT Saturday, May 7, 2016.
Courtesy, Alberta government
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Aerial footage of the destruction in the Abasand and Beacon Hill neighbourhoods of Fort McMurray.
Global News
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Animal rescue workers wait to get entry to Fort McMurray, Alta., on Friday, May 6, 2016. Officials said shifting winds were giving the embattled northern Alberta city a break, but they added the fire that forced 80,000 people from their homes remained out of control and was likely to burn for weeks.
Jason Franson, The Canadian Press
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Firefighters battle a wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Credit, Premier Rachel Notley's Twitter account
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Firefighters battle a wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Credit, Premier Rachel Notley's Twitter account
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Firefighters battle a wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Credit, Premier Rachel Notley's Twitter account
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Firefighters battle a wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Credit, Premier Rachel Notley's Twitter account
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A wildfire rages in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Friday, May 6, 2016.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
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Smoke rises from a wildfire 30km south of Fort McMurray, Alberta on highway 63 Friday, May 6, 2016. Officials said shifting winds were giving the embattled northern Alberta city a break, but they added the fire that forced 80,000 people from their homes remained out of control and was likely to burn for weeks.
Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press
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Thumbs up from evacuee leaving Fort McMurray with the convoy.
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RCMP say goodbye to evacuees leaving Ft McMurray during convoy operations.
Courtesy: Alberta RCMP
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ŖCMP being briefed during convoy operations.
Courtesy: Alberta RCMP
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RCMP and Fire departments work together in response to the Fort McMurray Wildfire.
Courtesy: Alberta RCMP
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RCMP and Fire departments work together in response to the Fort McMurray Wildfire.
Courtesy: Alberta RCMP
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Media watch as smoke billows in the sky near a wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Friday, May 6, 2016.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
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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