Recurring nightmare: Slave Lake's fire chief joins the fight in Fort Mac

Residents of Fort McMurray are watching the place they call home burn to the ground as a large wildfire continues to sweep through the northern Alberta city.

The fire had been burning west of the city since Tuesday, but after the fire jumped the Athabasca River it ignited a second small fire and as winds picked up, the situation grew very dire, very quickly.

By late Tuesday, mandatory evacuation orders were in place and the highways were jammed with people trying to flee the blaze. Many residents have already lost their homes and others are bracing for further damage as another day of strong winds could fuel the fire. 

By Wednesday afternoon, 88,000 people have fled, as the flames continue to engulf homes, streets, and whole neighbourhoods.

Largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta history

9 years ago

Duration 3:45

Wildfire rages in Fort McMurray as evacuees settle in Edmonton
"People can only do what they can do but at the end of the day Mother Nature is going to do what Mother Nature does and that's it," Jamie Coutts tells As It Happens host Carol Off. "There's really no way to describe how a fire like this changes so many lives all at once."

Coutts is the fire Chief of Slave Lake, Alberta and says the catastrophic blaze is "eerily similar" to the 2011 disaster that destroyed a third of his community. He is in Fort McMurray and working alongside firefighters to try to contain the fire and ensure the safety of evacuees as winds may pick up.

As It Happens6:03As It Happens | Fort McMurray fire: Jamie Coutts, Slave Lake fire Chief

As It Happens host Carol Off speaks to Slave Lake fire Chief Jamie Coutts as he works to contain the devastating wildfire sweeping across Fort McMurray, Alberta.

One of the hardest hit areas was the Abasand neighbourhood in Fort McMurray. Evacuated resident Bill McCrone lives there with his wife and two kids. He says he's almost certain that his home is a lost cause.

"I don't hold a lot of hope that I have a house anymore. There's nothing left. We've been in the car for 24 hours now. And the kids — they're 11 — we try to keep it light with them, but we have to keep it real, too." 

As It Happens6:57As It Happens | Fort McMurray fire: Bill McCrone, evacuated Fort McMurray resident

As It Happens | Fort McMurray fire: Bill McCrone, evacuated Fort McMurray resident

"I just pray to God that everyone got out and took all the warnings," Brian Jean tells As It Happens host Carol Off. "We'll get over it, as long as nobody's hurt and nobody loses their life, we can rebuild."

Jean is leader of the official opposition Wildrose Party in Alberta. He represents Fort McMurray and says he also lost his home in the fire.

Jean spent much of Wednesday at the Emergency Operation Centre in Fort McMurray.

As It Happens5:19As It Happens | Fort McMurray fire: Brian Jean, Leader of Wildrose Party

As It Happens | Fort McMurray fire: Brian Jean, Leader of Wildrose Party