Wildfire Case Study Flashcards
Where and when was the Alberta wildfire ?
Canada, Alberta province
May 2016
nicknamed ‘the Beast’
How was the fire started ?
The fire started in a remote forested area
the precise cause remains unknown
What were the environmental impacts of the wildfire ?
The boreal forest ecosystem was damaged
Fire released several million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere
Pollution was as widespread as USA and Gulf Coast
Ash washed into water systems after heavy rain, polluting water and contaminating fish and wildlife
Huge quantities of debris had to have been disposed of.
What were the social impacts of the wildfire ?
Fort McMurray became an exclusion zone for residents
90,000 displaced
2,400 buildings destroyed
power supplies disrupted
water supplies contaminated
What were the economic impacts of the wildfire ?
$9bn in damages
25000 workers evacuated from a nearby oil refinery
(Shell Canada)
Fort McMurray International Airport had to be shutdown
