Residents flee Fort McMurray as wildfire moves downtown

Update (5:26pm): All of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order.

Original Story:

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has now evacuated the entire lower townsite/downtown area of Fort McMurray as the fire continues to converge on the community.

Downright unbelievable! Never thought we'd ever experience this in #YMM #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/0DRRxBdyHW

— Mike Allen (@MikeAllen_YMM) May 3, 2016

Residents are told to leave their places of business and homes and head to MacDonald Island Park. Nearly half of the 100,000 people that live in the city have now been ordered to evacuate and proceed to the evacuee reception centre.

My harrowing drive evacuating #ymm praying for my friends pic.twitter.com/XGFWfavqR2

— Jordan J Stuffco (@jstuffcocrimlaw) May 3, 2016

A total of 10 neighbourhoods have been evacuated. The wildfire continues to burn out of control.

Scary scary scary. I love this town #ymm pic.twitter.com/SWFiyEpf0R

— Sinead (@SidlySquidly) May 3, 2016

People have been posting photos and videos to social media and it shows the massive traffic jam as residents flee from their homes and schools. The fire has now breached Highway 63 which is one of the only routes in and out of the community.

View in my brother's neighborhood in #ymm just before they got out. Prayers and thoughts go out to all in community! pic.twitter.com/hENcvShaBb

— Pierre Zundel (@PierreZundel) May 3, 2016

Premier Rachel Notley is expected to address the media and public at 3:45 p.m. PST. We’ll update readers as soon as more information becomes available.

Pics from my parents trying to make their way out of the chaos that is Fort McMurray. #YMM #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/yzmHhEOTzV

— Mike Gulseth (@mikegulseth) May 3, 2016

Please please please let this stop #ymm stay safe flames coming up hangingstone valley pic.twitter.com/3LW40SsGaZ

— Sinead (@SidlySquidly) May 3, 2016