An uncontrolled wildfire burning near Fort McMurray in northern Alberta, the heart of Canada’s oil sands region, has forced the evacuation of nearly all the city’s 80,000 residents, local authorities said on Tuesday.

A number of flights from Fort McMurray airport were canceled and the airport advised passengers to check with their airlines for updates.

“This is the biggest evacuation we have seen in the history of the province in terms of fire,” said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.

However, the 2,650-hectare (6,540-acre) fire, which was discovered on May 1, is not close to any oil sands facilities, according to Alberta government online maps. Source