Alberta Wildfire Case Study

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

• Canada, Alberta

Question 2

Causes

Answer 2

• Lack of snowfall, early snowmelt and soaring temperatures led to scorched earth and dry vegetation
• El Nino also played a role in The Beast’s creation

Question 3

Environmental Effects

Answer 3

• Fire and smoke damaged roots and soils
• Several tonnes of CO2 were released into the atmosphere
• Mercury and lead from burning buildings created air pollution
• Ash was washed into rivers, creating water pollution
• There were huge quantities of waste
• 680km of hectares burnt

Question 4

Social Effects

Answer 4

• 90,000 people fled to Fort McMurray
• 2,400 buildings were destroyed
• Power was disrupted
• Water contamination affected people
• No deaths

Question 5

Economic Effects

Answer 5

• Methods of transport were greatly affected
• CA$9bn in damages
• 1/3 of 25,000 local oil sands workers evacuated, and the industry was temporarily shut down (600 working units were destroyed)
• Estimated CA$1bn damages to industry
• 85% of Fort McMurray was saved

Question 6

Mitigation and Preparedness

Answer 6

• Evacuation plans implemented that are well organised and planned
• Careful monitoring of ground and satellite data
• Meteorological data used to forecast direction of fire

Question 7

Responses and Recovery

Answer 7

• 90,000 were evacuated safely (city planned for safety)
• Armed forces, water bombers and fire fighters were employed to try and combat the fire
• Donations were in excess of CA$50mn