Devastating Alberta wildfire 'probably started by human activity', police say
Source: The Guardian
Devastating Alberta wildfire 'probably started by human activity', police say
Royal Canadian Mounted Police appeal for information after natural
cause ruled out for blaze that led to the evacuation of 90,000 people
from Fort McMurray
Ashifa Kassam in Toronto
Wednesday 15 June 2016 18.38 BST
The wildfire that raged through northern Alberta and forced the frantic evacuation of more than 90,000 people was probably caused by humans, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Tuesday.
After more than six weeks of investigation, police have determined the fire did not start naturally. “Wildfire investigators for the province of Alberta have established that the fire was most likely the result of human activity, having ruled out lightning as a probable cause,” the RCMP said in a statement.
Investigators are now exploring whether the cause is linked to any sort of criminal offence. The fire was sparked on 1 May near a wilderness area popular with outdoor enthusiasts and police are asking anyone who was there in the days before the fire to come forward.
Potential causes linked to humans, said Travis Fairweather of Alberta Wildfire, include campfires left unattended, debris caught in recreational vehicles and downed power lines. “We’re not ruling out any possibilities.”
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/15/alberta-wildfire-fort-mcmurray-canada-cause-human-activity
= new reply since forum marked as read
