Fort McMurray Forum

Wildfire officials are letting a forest fire in Wood Buffalo National Park burn, for now.
Full firefighting resources won't be dispatched to the 45,000 hectare wildfire, 185 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray, unless it becomes a threat to nearby infrastructure.
Park Wildfire Information Officer, Tim Gouthier says wildfires are a natural part of the Boreal forest.
"Plants and animals are adapted to deal with fires as a natural phenomenon , fire changes the landscape, it brings new plants into play, it renews some habitats, it allows some different kinds of trees to grow, its a renewing force," said Gouthier.
Gouthier, says however, the blaze is being monitored closely by a helicopter dispatch and new weather monitoring station is being established.
Meantime, a small blaze northeast of Fort Chipewyan is now classified as under control.
And the province has reduced the wildfire hazard in our district from high to moderate.