Northern Alberta town engulfed by wild fires

Nearly half of a northern Alberta town has been destroyed or damaged by wildfires, reports the CBC.ca.
Roughly 40% of the town of Slave Lake, about 200 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, was damaged or destroyed by a 700-hectare wildfire on May 16. The mall, town hall and many downtown businesses were all destroyed, though the hospital and the town’s schools appear to be safe, John Muir, Alberta’s Municipal Affairs spokesperson, told cbc.ca.
Firefighters had been battling blazes south of the town since May 14, but strong wind gusts, about 100 km-h blowing towards the town facilitated a rapid spread into the community.
Approximately 7,000 residents (representing 95% of the population) have been evacuated, and there have been no reports of deaths or injuries, the Canadian Press reported.
The 40 local firefighters from the Slave Lake Fire Department are being assisted by more than 120 urban firefighters and equipment from Alberta cities, the government of Alberta says on its Web site.