Fort Mac Wildfire Thread

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Spoiler!

Hopefully they can keep the fires NE of downtown from moving into that area. Looks like it is mostly moving towards the SE but that could probably change fairly easily.

[nik-]

The Long Lake situation on that fire map is insane.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Someone earlier in this thread was wondering about who was running the @RMWoodBuffalo Twitter account

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2...ce=twitterfeed

[Fuzz]

Update on Long Lake:

Update - May 6, 2016 – 7:00 PM
Nexen’s Long Lake facility remains shut down as a result of the forest fires. All site personnel have been safety evacuated as per mandatory evacuation orders. At this time we do not know the status of our facility; however, we continue to closely monitor the situation remotely from Calgary through reports from the provincial emergency response team. The safety and wellbeing of our employees and the communities near our operations are our top priority.

I would have thought a facility like that would have cameras all over they could monitor from Calgary...

[Reggie Dunlop]

Learning that one of the first things evacuees require are hygienic products, underwear and socks, I was able to convince the Toronto-based McGregor company (iconic Canadian brand -- seeing the "Mr. Happy Foot" figurine at retail outlets was a childhood memory) to donate 1,000 pairs of socks to the relief effort. They replied promptly and I was able to direct them to the Edmonton Emergency Relief Service. They are a still a family-owned business, and are big donors to homeless organizations, but have never done charity work outside their Southern Ontario base.

It never hurts to ask.

[nik-]

A stationary visual wouldn't really give you any meaningful status of a production facility.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Learning that one of the first things evacuees require are hygienic products, underwear and socks, I was able to convince the Toronto-based McGregor company (iconic Canadian brand -- seeing the "Mr. Happy Foot" figurine at retail outlets was a childhood memory) to donate 1,000 pairs of socks to the relief effort. They replied promptly and I was able to direct them to the Edmonton Emergency Relief Service. They are a still a family-owned business, and are big donors to homeless organizations, but have never done charity work outside their Southern Ontario base.

It never hurts to ask.

That's amazing! Great work and an excellent idea!

(And now I know who you are!)

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by nik-

A stationary visual wouldn't really give you any meaningful status of a production facility.

Video cameras? Like magic these days...I would imagine they would have sensors all over the lace as well, if they stop responding it might offer a clue. I suspect Nexen isn't sharing all they know.

[GP_Matt]

I heard this afternoon that the AER has given some oil sands sites carte blanche to determine how much of a fire break they need and immediately clear it. They are mobilizing mulchers now.
Normally permission to clear is a bit of a process so this is good to see.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Someone earlier in this thread was wondering about who was running the @RMWoodBuffalo Twitter account

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2...ce=twitterfeed

If I had my way, neither of those two would ever have to pay for another drink for the rest of their lives.

[blueski]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

I heard this afternoon that the AER has given some oil sands sites carte blanche to determine how much of a fire break they need and immediately clear it. They are mobilizing mulchers now.
Normally permission to clear is a bit of a process so this is good to see.

Yeah looking at google maps, it seems like they've been at it a bit before this afternoon. They've done a pretty decent job north of the sites, even built some lakes too which was pretty smart. With the fire coming at them from the South, they might want to start working on that side too.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@56.96290.../data=!3m1!1e3

[agulati]

The smoke situation up in CNRL Horizon has deteriorated over the last night. Supposedly the fire is still not on a path to impact the facility.

[Fuzz]

Morning Satellite Update:

Spoiler!

The good news. The wind switched to the south, so seams to have slowed the southern progression. There are also very few new hotspots directly in and around FM.

Spoiler!

The bad news, this large patch looks to be moving north. Winds are forecast to be from the south all day today. They switch to the west after that, then the north on Tuesday. Unfortunately no rain in the forecast, and another hot one today. Lets hope at least the winds are a help.

Ignore the hot spots you see farther north in the Oilsands operations. My guess is they are off a flaring tower or something. They have been in every update.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by AC

Don't think this was posted yet, some comic relief:

Yes, it's hilarious. I laughed, too. The young loadie used some colorful language for a private presentation to a select audience of roughnecks who wouldn't take any exception to his choice of words.

However, I doubt he knew someone was recording him. Had he, he would have adjusted his choice of words.

The more that people spread this via Twitter, Facebook, reddit, etc, the more likely the odds are that an entity like the CBC will make hay with it, especially considering the PR battle the CAF has right now. I know that the majority of people are not offended, but a few likely will be. And if that happens, this young airman will be extremely pi$$ed that this video went public - likely without his consent.

So, my plea today would be to those of you who may have posted this to Facebook or whatever to consider the possible consequences to this individual and take the video down.

Thanks...

[Fuzz]

Syncrude is shutting down its operations
https://twitter.com/SyncrudeCanada

[Fuzz]

http://www.rmwb.ca/Municipal-Governm...eak-Camera.htm
The airport cam and river cam show nothing but smoke this morning

[killer_carlson]

Syncrude still paying employees, but pulling everyone out for the time being.

Extraordinary steps and indicative of the gravity of the situation.

[Fuzz]

Google has provided May 6th imagery now:
http://www.google.org/crisismap/2016-fort-mcmurray-fire
You can search addresses in the top left and select images from different dates. On the right panel select "view all layers" at the bottom and turn on May 6th and turn off May 5th.

[killer_carlson]

www.cnn.com

Front page story on cnn.com right now is the Fort Mac fire. In the articles they state that the fire is already 25% larger than New York City and is as big as Hong Kong, with a chance that it doubles in size still.

Of course they then have an article from a "journalist" who goes on a rant that this is about climate change and not only should we end fossil fuel use, but we should also stop building towns in areas where forest fires might occur.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

www.cnn.com

Front page story on cnn.com right now is the Fort Mac fire. In the articles they state that the fire is already 25% larger than New York City and is as big as Hong Kong, with a chance that it doubles in size still.

Of course they then have an article from a "journalist" who goes on a rant that this is about climate change and not only should we end fossil fuel use, but we should also stop building towns in areas where forest fires might occur.

This #### is getting old.

Where is that meme of Batman bitch-slapping Robin for saying something stupid? We need that.