Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta. On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta’s history. It continued to spread across northern Alberta into Saskatchewan, consuming forested areas and impacting Athabasca oil sands operations. The fire spread across approximately 590,000 hectares before it was finally declared to be under control on July 5, 2016. It is the costliest disaster in Canadian history with billions of dollars in direct and indirect damage. $300 million have been raised through individual/corporate donations from across Canada and beyond, including contributions by provincial and federal governments. Some of the money raised is administered by the Canadian Red Cross who so far has distributed more than $100 million directly to the nearly 90,000 evacuees impacted by the fire. Most Fort McMurray residents returned home in early June only to find their homes in vario