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An eruption of flame: RCMP officer says 'Get out - NOW'

Our crew arrived in Fort McMurray just after 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The smoke could be seen from a long way off, but we didn’t see flames until we stopped at airport road.

A firsthand account of fleeing the wildfire by a CBC producer

Terry Reith · CBC News · Posted: May 08, 2016 4:49 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 9, 2016

Our crew arrived in Fort McMurray just after 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The smoke could be seen from a long way off, but we didn't see flames until we stopped at airport road. At 2:09 p.m. it looked threatening, but we were not prepared for what happened next - 36 minutes later it was on us.

2:09 p.m., MT. Highway 63 at Airport Road

We could see flames erupting from a forested area between Highway 63 and the Athabasca River. Emergency vehicles were racing into the city, but traffic was still moving normally. Residents of three neighbourhoods were under mandatory evacuation orders. But for many it was still business as usual.

2:35 p.m. MT. Gregoire Drive at Gregoire Crescent

As the sky darkened there was a growing lineup at the pumps of an Esso station. Northbound traffic on Highway 63 was at a near stop. Gregoire Drive southbound was suddenly flooded with vehicles. In the parking lot some stood and watched the approaching flames, others looked feverishly for a way out.

2:42 p.m. MT.

Traffic continued to stall along Highway 63 as more people took to their vehicles to flee the area. Flames could be seen leaping from trees just beyond the highway.

2:45 p.m. MT.

Flames exploded on the west side of Highway 63, 150 metres from the busy business district off Gregoire Drive. A wall of heat hit the area and embers fell from the sky. We're told propane tanks were blowing up.

2:45 p.m. MT

In a parking lot, 150 metres from the path of the fire, some stood and watched as the huge wall of flame swelled.

2:46 p.m. MT.

The flames continued to intensify on the west side of Highway 63. Those stuck in traffic began turning around to find a more clear path. Some drove down the median. Soon both north and southbound lanes were choked with traffic heading south.

3:09 p.m. MT Gregoire Drive and Greely Road

We moved southeast of the erupting fire to a position near the Sawridge Inn. The flames continued to spread southbound along the western edge of Highway 63. The traffic gridlock broke as RCMP directed drivers towards escape southbound on all lanes of the highway.

4:45 p.m. MT. MacKenzie King Road near MacDonald Crescent

We moved back into an industrial area further from the fire, but still had a clear view of the highway and what lies beyond. This is the first in a series of three photos from this location - watch how quickly the fire advanced.

4:46:02 p.m. MT.

Flames emerged behind the clubhouse of the Quarry Ridge Golf Course.

4:46:18 p.m. MT.

There was a sudden eruption of flame. We were shooting the scene live, when a car came tearing around the corner, skidding onto MacKenzie King Road, then speeding past us. There were sounds of explosions. An RCMP cruiser pulled up beside us and the officer said 'Get out — NOW.'

We threw our camera and live feed box into the back of the truck and joined the flood of vehicles fleeing down MacKenzie Avenue. We took refuge at the command centre on Airport Road, sleeping in our truck overnight. There was no food, little water, and no place to buy gas — our tank was almost empty.

Wednesday, May 4, 8:19 a.m. MT. Beacon Hill Drive at Sakitawan Trail

We set out early to survey the damage. Beacon Hill was one of the neighbourhoods under mandatory evacuation. Thick smoke hung in the air. Much of the area was flattened.