Vittorio Hernandez - AHN News
Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada (AHN) - The fires that raged throughout Alberta over the weekend razed half of the homes and buildings in the town of Slave Lake.
Slave Lake Mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee said on Monday that the town lost its town hall and library The school, hospital and police detachment were spared by the blazes. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach described the fire as the worst disaster in the town's recent history.
Fortunately, there were no reports of deaths or injuries because 95 percent of the 7,000 Slave Lake residents left their homes after local authorities declared a mandatory evacuation on Sunday. However, some residents complained that they had little time left to gather their belongings, which were mostly destroyed by the blaze.
The fires leveled entire communities and left only foundations, driveways and vehicle frames standing.
A total of 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) were scorched by 115 wildfires that were fueled by 100-kilometer (62-mile) per hour winds, that have overpowered the 900 firefighters who came from all around the proviince to battle the blazes.
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