Friday 13 May 2016

Smoke in La Loche May 2016

Thick smoke from the Fort McMurray wildfire in La Loche

"On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurrayAlberta, Canada. On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying more than 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history."  Wikipedia

The northern Saskatchewan village of La Loche with an area population of 4,000 is 120 km (75 miles) to the east of the city of Fort McMurray. Clouds of smoke and ash from the wildfires reached La Loche on May 5.  When the air quality was poor the schools were either closed or the children kept inside.