Dozens of firefighters remained on the scene of an out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray – officials said the fire was believed to have more than doubled in size since Monday.
Later Tuesday afternoon, officials told CTV News the wildfire was 'beyond resources' - meaning it was considered too dangerous to put fire crews and aircraft between the fire and Fort McMurray.
Just after 2 p.m., the neighbourhoods of Abasand, Beacon Hill and Grayling Terrace in Fort McMurray were issued mandatory evacuation notices. Evacuated residents were asked to head to MacDonald Island Park.
Residents of three Fort McMurray neighbourhoods try to evacuate after mandatory evacuation notices were issued after 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016.
Just after 3 p.m., officials with the municipality added residents in the Thickwood, and neighbourhoods south of Thickwood Drive between Real Martin Drive and Thicket Drive, and residents in Gregoire, were placed under a mandatory evacuation notice.
Before 3:30 p.m., officials said residents in Dickensfield and Thickwood, located north of Thickwood Boulevard, were placed under mandatory evacuation notice – and were advised to head to the Noralta Lodge 21 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
A few minutes later, officials said the downtown area, southeast of King Street, along with Waterways, Draper and Saline Creek were all on mandatory evacuation notice.
Residents were advised to evacuate immediately to the Anzac Recreation Centre at 237 Stony Mountain Road.
Officials have asked residents to avoid areas that are under evacuation notice – saying in a statement: “If you’re not at home, do not return home.”
Residents with pets were asked to notify the reception centre at MacDonald Island Park, or responders at Noralta Lodge if they have a pet at home.
Those trying to leave the area were encountering traffic issues on the highway heading out of town - all due to traffic volume.
A CTV News team, including CTV's Breanna Karstens-Smith and videographer Sean Amato was in Fort McMurray as events unfolded:
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