Ryan Snoddon: Unfavorable forecast for Fort Mac firefighters

The images and videos coming from Fort McMurray over the past 24 hours are jaw dropping, fromthe residents fleeing town Tuesdaynightto the now-charred remains of some subdivisions this morning.

The good news? No major injuries or deaths were reported and more than 80,000people have been evacuated safely.

The bad news? Firefighters will face an uphill battle trying to protect the yet untouched areas of Fort McMurray, including the water treatment plant and hospital.

Timelapse of Fort McMurray fire

8 years ago

Duration 0:17

Ryan Jeffries captured the wildfires in Fort McMurray, from his office window Tuesday afternoon

Extreme fire conditions

Fort McMurray's airport only recorded 17 millimetresof rain in April,and has had just 1 mm since April 15. Now the region is seeing record-breaking heat.

With a high of 33 on Tuesday, relative humidity of less than 15 per centand a strong temperature inversion, the shift to southwest winds wasenough for the fire to jump the Athabasca River and rage into town.

Wednesday brings more record-breaking heat with another high near 30, very low relative humidity and strong westerly winds which look set to gust 40-50 km/h Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Mother Nature will bring some relief from the heat as a cold front arrives tonight, however little to no precipitation is expected.

The sunshine returns for Thursday with temperatures into the high teens, and westerly winds returning to 20 km/h.

More sunshine is set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the next chance of rain not expected until Sunday night or Monday.

As of now, next week looks cooler with temperatures closer to seasonal, higher humidity and better chances of rain. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Fire danger map

Until then, this map shows how extreme the current conditions are for a huge portion of western Canada. It's only early into the forest fire season and it appears this season could be long one for firefighters.

• Read more by CBC'sRyan Snoddon

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