Fire crews battle ‘moving animal’ wildfire across Alberta

Alberta has declared a state of emergency as crews battle to hold back wildfires that have destroyed 1,600 homes and buildings in Canada’s main oil sands city of Fort McMurray, forcing more than 80,000 people to flee.

The wind-whipped flames were being kept from the city’s central area thanks to the “Herculean” efforts of firefighters, said Scott Long of Alberta Emergency Management Agency. No injuries or fire-related fatalities have been reported.

The fire appeared near the airport late on Wednesday where crews were on site. All commercial flights in and out of Fort McMurray have been suspended.