The Alberta Wildfire 'The Beast' - H

Question 1

When was the fire

Answer 1

May-June 2016

Question 2

How long did the fire last

Answer 2

2 months. Some areas were still smouldering until the following spring

Question 3

Where was the fire

Answer 3

Costliest natural disaster in Canadian History

Question 4

What do some sources refer to this disaster as

Answer 4

The Fort McMurray Wildfire

Question 5

How many people were killed or injured

Answer 5

None

Question 6

How many homes and businesses were destroyed

Answer 6

2400

Question 7

How many residents had to evacuate

Answer 7

90,000

Question 8

When could people return

Answer 8

Spring 2017

Question 9

What were disrupted

Answer 9

Power supplies

Question 10

How much monetary damage was there to Fort McMurray

Answer 10

$9 billion

Question 11

How many people had to be evacuated from the tar sands industry

Answer 11

25,000

Question 12

What percentage of the labour force in Fort McMurray were enjoyed in the oil and gas industry

Answer 12

51%

Question 13

What was lost in the fire

Answer 13

Thousands of hectares of forest and a huge number of Athabasca oil sands which had a huge economic impact

Question 14

What is athabasca oil sand

Answer 14

A major sand deposit containing bitumen and heavy crude oil in Alberta

Question 15

How many barrels of oil were lost per day for 14 days

Answer 15

1.2 million

Question 16

What was the monetary loss of the oil barrels

Answer 16

$1 billion (0.3% of Alberta’s GDP in 2016)

Question 17

What did the GDP of Alberta drop to

Answer 17

A negative value as the global price of oil was affected

Question 18

How much land was burned

Answer 18

600,000 hectares (similar size to the country of Norfolk)

Question 19

How much carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere

Answer 19

Millions of tonnes

Question 20

Why was there toxic air pollution

Answer 20

Due to the burning of cars, factories and buildings

Question 21

Where were Mercury and lead detected

Answer 21

In the Athabasca river and As far away as the Gulf Coast

Question 22

What did air pollution lead to

Answer 22

The contamination or water supplies

Question 23

What did ash washing into river affect

Answer 23

Aquatic species

Question 24

How many species lost their habitat

Answer 24

500 specieis

Question 25

What has happened to the tree specifies composition and forest type

Answer 25

It has been altered

Question 26

What was a positive feedback loop that was created

Answer 26

The fire created its own weather patterns, triggering littering, which ignited new fires

Question 27

What led to further water contiamination

Answer 27

Firefighters used untreated water to control the blaze

Question 28

What were the short term responses to the fire

Answer 28

Government declared a state of emergency implementing energy operation.
3rd of May - large evacuation ordered.
News coverage and social media were used to good effect to update residents.
Shelters and food were offered to evacuees to meet their basic needs.
Professional firefighters and first responders staged behind to fight the fire.
Offers it help recieved by USA, Australia and Russia.
Alberta health services provided mental health support.
Rotting food waste from damaged freezes had to be disposed of.

Question 29

What percentage of the city of Fort McMurray was saved

Answer 29

85%

Question 30

What were the long term human responses

Answer 30

Government of Alberta set up an air and water quality monitoring programme.
Re-entry programme was implemented by government. This commenced in 2016 and continued into 2017.
Evacuees given $1250 for adults and $500 for dependants by government to cover living expenses.
One going mental health and stress support meant $18 million was spent in the first year.
Long term temporary shelters.
Businesses played important role in recovery and clear up. $1000 granted by the Canadian Red cries to small businesses to encourage local contractors back to work.
‘Buy local’ campaign introduced.
Public transport links repaired and put to use. Which encouraged people to move about and stimulate economic development.
Government increased investment in the mitigation of natural disasters. 3 programmes designed: disaster preparedness, FireSmart and Flood mitigation. Success of these schemes is yet to be seen.
At the end of June a benefit concert ‘Fire Aid’ took place to raise money for those affected