Review of Fort McMurray fire will look at evacuation timing

The Alberta government has launched the process to begin a large-scale review of the Fort McMurray wildfire and the province's response, part of a routine process after major disasters.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Danielle Larivee announced the request for proposals on Thursday, seeking an independent company to oversee the process. 

No one died or was injured as a direct result of the fire that forced more than 90,000 people from their homes on May 3. Two teenagers died in a crash on the highway as they fled the flames the next day.

• 'Tragedy, layered on tragedy': Girl, 15, killed in Fort McMurray evacuation

Some have questioned the timing of the evacuation, claiming it was called too late. There is evidence that a breakdown in communication between provincial wildfire experts and municipal decision-makers may have caused some of the delay, as revealed in a recent CBC investigation.

• Read the CBC Fort McMurray wildfire investigation here
• 2 Fort McMurray firefighters say evacuation came too late, put lives at risk

Larivee said the review will look at areas such as the provincial support provided to the regional municipality, emergency services for evacuees, as well as the timing of the evacuation call - which she has previously said came too late.

"I do wish people could have got out of there sooner," Larivee said, repeating earlier sentiments. "Because I'm talking about it after the fact. The people at the time did not have any kind of crystal ball to foresee the future."

She was quick to clarify that this review is routine, and not tied to any specific concern.

"I'm not calling this review because I think there was any wrongdoing," she said. "I just want us to be prepared even more. And to have an even stronger response in future disasters."

This review is expected to be complete by summer 2017.

A separate review, commissioned by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, is looking specifically at wildfire preparation, readiness and response to the fire. That review is already underway.

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• Read the CBC Fort McMurray wildfire investigation here
• 2 Fort McMurray firefighters say evacuation came too late, put lives at risk
• Alberta cabinet minister says she wishes Fort McMurray wildfire evacuation order came sooner
• Preliminary cost of Fort McMurray fire estimated at $615 million
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