Residents of the Fort McMurray neighbourhoods of Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek, and Grayling Terrace were ordered to evacuate their homes by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Officials from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued the evacuation order Tuesday afternoon due to a nearby wildfire.
Residents in other parts of Fort McMurray are also being advised they should leave, but if they are not in the communities listed it is not yet mandatory.
Signs with designated evacuation routes and instructions have been put in place, and evacuees are advised to listen to first responders.
Just before 3 p.m., 511 Alberta tweeted that northbound Highway 63 had been closed to help evacuation efforts.
If you are unable to self-evacuate, you are asked to attend your neighborhood’s muster point.
Evacuation muster points and access roads are as follows:
- Abasand:
- Muster Point: Parking lot across from the Abasand Skate Park and Ice rink parking lot by Fr. Beauregard School
- Egress road: Abasand Drive or Abbottsford Drive
- Beacon Hill:
- Muster point: Frank LaCroix Arena
- Egress road: Beacon Hill Dr.
- Grayling Terrace
- Muster Point: Greyling Park
- Egress road: Abbottsford Drive
- Prairie Creek:
- Muster Point: Arabian Drive bus stop and Rodeo Drive bus stop
- Egress road: Airport road to 63 then 63 south
Residents are also advised to bring their pets. If you can not take your pet, officials ask that you complete the Animal Rescue form at rmwb.ca/alerts.
Hundreds of vehicles can already be seen lining up to leave the city.
Those living in an area under the Evacuation Order are being asked to register online as an evacuee online at the MyAlberta Emergency Registration System(MAERS) or by calling the Government of Alberta call centre (310-4455).