by Officials say 55-thousand people have been forced to flee Fort McMurray in the face of a wildfire that led to a mandatory evacuation order, yesterday.
Among those getting out was Glace Bay native Steve Boutilier who drove all night to Edmonton.
Boutilier says he and his girlfriend have checked into a hotel in Edmonton and don’t know how long they’ll have to stay there.
Meanwhile, officials in Fort McMurray say 80 percent of the homes in one neighbourhood have been destroyed with ranging amounts of damage in other areas.
They add the next 24 hours will be focused on making sure everybody has safely left the evacuation zone, finding lodging for evacuees and tending to medical needs.
They go to say helping those left stranded along highways out of town is also a priority.
The leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition Wild Rose Party, Brian Jean says his home is one of those lost in the fire.