As wildfire ravaged Fort McMurray in northern Alberta, Canada, the pilots and staff of Canadian North Airlines mobilized to safely and efficiently transport people (and many four-legged friends) from Northern Alberta to Edmonton. The fire has destroyed more than 1,700 homes/buildings and forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents—the largest mass evacuation in the history of Alberta.
“I am extremely proud of the professionalism and compassion shown by Canadian North pilots during this extremely stressful time,” said Canadian North MEC chairman Capt. Olivier Goudreau. “Our pilots and planes have been flying 24-hours a day transporting families, their pets, and all the belongings they can manage from Fort McMurray to Edmonton. Between May 4 and May 8, Canadian North evacuated more than 16,600 people on 294 charter flights, while maintaining its normal scheduled operations. Many pilots have taken stranded families into their homes to provide shelter, and the company and other Edmonton-based businesses and organizations are providing food and water at our charter hangar in Edmonton to accommodate the families arriving on these rescue flights.”
Canadian North is also ferrying water, food, and supplies to the oil sands work camps where Fort McMurray residents have been fleeing. Until last year, the oil sands had made Fort McMurray (population: 125,000) Canada’s boomtown, and transporting oil sands employees Canadian North’s biggest contract.
View photos from the Canadian North wildfire rescue efforts here.