A raging forest fire burning through Fort McMurray Alberta has forced former Wingham residents Craig and Therese Picton to escape to an oil sands camp north of the city.
Craig Picton says 80,000 people were forced to flee yesterday as the fire took a turn for the worse.
"It was something like out of a science fiction movie, just looking up, and people taking pictures outside and not knowing what was coming, it escalated so quickly that a panic set in and roads were blocked," he says. "There were some, believe it or not, some stragglers, in town who survived. Fortunately they haven't reported one death yet, which is incredible for the magnitude of the evacuation."
He says people frantically tried to get to their homes in residential areas to save pets and valuables, and the crush of cars meant the ten minute drive took up to an hour and a half.
He says the fire continues to spread through and destroy the city today.
Fire officials say 1,600 houses and structures have been burned so far.
Picton adds cars are stranded all along the only escape route, Hwy. 63, as motorists are running out of gas. He says tanker trucks are delivering fuel to drivers.