Alberta Wildfire (the Beast)

Question 1

What’s the nickname for the Alberta wildfire?

Answer 1

The Beast

Question 2

When did the fire occur?

Answer 2

May 2016

Question 3

What city did it affect?

Answer 3

Fort McMurray

Question 4

Where did the fire start?

Answer 4

Unknown- however it ignited in a remote forested area south west of Fort McMurray

Question 5

Reasons why the fire spread

Answer 5

• shift in the wind direction
• spotting (wind carried burning embers ahead of the fire which ignited more trees)

Question 6

How did the fire move so quickly?

Answer 6

Jumped a 1km river in places

Question 7

Reasons the fire had started

Answer 7

• lack of winter snowfall
• early spring snow melt
• warmer than average temperatures
• low humidity
• dried out vegetation

Question 8

Weather conditions at the beginning of May

Answer 8

Temperatures exceeding 30°C and increased winds

Question 9

The fire has been linked to a strong _________

Answer 9

El Niño effect

Question 10

How many residents were evacuated?

Answer 10

90,000

Question 11

How many were killed/injured?

Answer 11

0

Question 12

How many homes/businesses destroyed?

Answer 12

2400

Question 13

How many hectares of land burned?

Answer 13

600,000

Question 14

What percentage of the city was saved from the fire?

Answer 14

85%

Question 15

Where were the worst losses?

Answer 15

Central areas of Abasand and beacon hill

Question 16

What was severely affected due to scorched soil and burned tree roots?

Answer 16

Boreal forest ecosystem

Question 17

How much carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere?

Answer 17

Several millions

Question 18

What toxins were released into the atmosphere?

Answer 18

Mercury and lead

Question 19

What happened to water courses?

Answer 19

Ash washed into them and contaminated fish and other aquatic life

Question 20

Social impact on people

Answer 20

Job and livelihoods were effected

Question 21

What was disrupted?

Answer 21

Power supplies

Question 22

How much did insurance companies estimate the damage to be?

Answer 22

CAN$9 billion of damage on Fort McMurray

Question 23

How many workers in nearby oil sands industry had to be evacuated?

Answer 23

1/3 of 25,000

Question 24

How many work same units were destroyed?

Answer 24

600

Question 25

How was the fire monitored?

Answer 25

Ground and satellite data and meteorological information

Question 26

When was the complete evaluation of Fort McMurray?

Answer 26

3rd May

Question 27

What was used to evacuate some of the oil sands workers?

Answer 27

Aircrafts

Question 28

How many donations did the Canadian Red Cross receive?

Answer 28

CAN$50 milliom