Residents were forced to flee their homes as a firestorm swept through Slave Lake, Alta., a town of 7,000, destroying upwards of 30 percent of the buildings.
A plane is seen flying near a wildfire in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A wildfire in Slave lake, Alta., forces thousands of people from their homes, Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Smoke from a wildfire billows as workers look on, Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
The fires burned hundreds of buildings to the ground in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A plane takes off as smoke billows in the background near Slave lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Some of the buildings destroyed include Slave Lake's town hall, library and shopping mall, Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A water bomber prepares to fly over wildfires in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Residents say the sky turned black as thick smoke engulfed the town and surrounding area, Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
No fatalities have been reported so far from the wildfires in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A thick cloud of smoke is seen over the sky in Slave Lake Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
The Town of Slave Lake issued a mandatory evacuation order on Sunday, though some residents became confused about how they were supposed to get out of town as police shut down local highways for safety reasons.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Residents say clouds of dark smoke dispersed several kilometers in the air, Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Emergency workers examine a wildfire in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
Michael Leonard / MyNews.CTV.ca
A water bomber flies near a thick cloud of smoke in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
Michael Leonard / MyNews.CTV.ca
A water bomber flies near a thick cloud of smoke in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
Michael Leonard / MyNews.CTV.ca
An emergency vehicle is seen near a wildfire in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Rodney King / MyNews.CTV.ca
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta. on Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Rodney King / MyNews.CTV.ca
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta. on Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Michael Leonard / MyNews.CTV.ca
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta. on Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Rodney King / MyNews.CTV.ca
A wildfire rages east of Slave Lake, Alta. on Saturday, May 14, 2011.
Karen Drake / MyNews.CTV.ca
A water bomber drops its water on a fire, 160 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Buildings burn in Slave Lake, Alta. on Monday, May 16, 2011.
CTV
A raging wildfire is seen in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
CTV
A raging wildfire is seen in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
CTV
A raging wildfire is seen in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
CTV
A raging wildfire is seen in Slave Lake, Alta., Monday, May 16, 2011.
CTV
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
CTV
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
CTV
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
CTV
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Syed Iftikhar for CTV
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Syed Iftikhar for CTV
A wildfire rages in Slave Lake, Alta., Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Syed Iftikhar for CTV
Firefighters work on a wild fire 160 km northeast of Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Residents of Slave Lake and area evacuate as smoke billows on the horizon 300 km northeast of Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
White smoke rises around Slave Lake, 300 km northeast of Edmonton, Alta., on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Residents park their cars and trucks on the side of the road about 50 kms from Slave Lake. Alta., on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Residents park their cars and trucks on the side of the road about 50kms from Slave Lake. Alta., on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Residents park their cars and trucks on the side of the road about 50kms from Slave Lake. Alta., on Sunday May 15, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The smouldering remains of houses outside Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Smoke rises from the remains of houses outside Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The smouldering remains of houses outside Slave Lake, Alta., on May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Smoke obscures the Highway 2 outside Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Firefighters work on the smouldering remains of houses in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
Firefighters work around the smouldering remains of houses in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
All that remains of a house in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011 is a set of steps.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
'I love Slave Lake' is written on chalk on the sidewalk in front of the smouldering remains of a house in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
The smouldering remains of houses in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
The smouldering remains of houses in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
The smouldering remains of houses in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach looks at the remains of a burned car in Slave Lake, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Jackson
Volunteer Darcie Statham sorts through donations for evacuated victims of the Slave Lake fire at the Westlock and District Community Hall in Westlock, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Julie, Emma, 4, and Joe Bradstreet, left, look for suitable clothes as volunteer Bertha Victoroor sorts through donations for evacuated victims of the Slave Lake fire at the Westlock and District Community Hall in Westlock, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Rayna Auger, right, and daughters Meggie, 10, left, and Tia, 6, look through donated clothes at the Westlock and District Community Hall in Westlock, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Rayna Auger, right, and daughter Meggie, 10, look through donated clothes at the Westlock and District Community Hall in Westlock, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Concerned members of the public donate clothes and blankets for the evacuated victims of the Slave Lake at the Westlock and District Community Hall in Westlock, Alta., on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
A Westlock, Alta., family offer space on their land for evacuated victims of the Slave Lake, Alta., fire at the Westlock and District Community Hall on Monday, May 16, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Ulan
Smoke from wildfires fills a street in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Doug Horner / Slave Lake resident
Smoke from wildfires fills a street in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Doug Horner / Slave Lake resident
Smoke from wildfires fills a street in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Doug Horner / Slave Lake resident
Smoke from wildfires fills a street in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A police officer directs traffic in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Evacuees make their way out of Slave Lake on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Slave Lake residents have taken shelter in centres across Alberta, mostly in Athabasca, Westlock and Edmonton, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A large fire consumes a building in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Damage is seen after a lingering fire in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
The aftermath of a wildfire in Slave Lake is shown, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A large fire consumes a building in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A large fire consumes houses in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A large fire consumes houses in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A large fire consumes houses in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
A large fire consumes houses in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Emergency crews at the scene of a wildfire in Slave Lake, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Orange smoke from wildfires in Slave lake are seen in the distance, Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Orange smoke from wildfires in Slave lake are seen in the distance.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Houses are reduced to ashes after wildfire consumed neighbourhoods in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Houses are reduced to ashes after wildfire consumed neighbourhoods in Slave Lake, Alta.
Mike Kapusta for CTV News
Firefighters from St. Albert, Alta. are seen helping the efforts in Slave Lake Alta. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Daryl McIntyre / CTV News
Houses are shown reduced to ashes just steps from a group of houses that were spared by the wildfires in Slave Lake, Alta. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Daryl McIntyre / CTV News
A row of houses devastated by the wildfires in Slave Lake, Alta. is shown on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Daryl McIntyre / CTV News
A charred forest is shown along the south edge of Slave Lake, Alta. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Daryl McIntyre / CTV News
The charred remains of a number of buildings are shown across from the E G Wahlstrom School in Slave Lake, Alta. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
Daryl McIntyre / CTV News
Evacuees from the town of Slave Lake, Alberta, arrive at the Athabasca, Alta. community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Volunteers unload a trailer of clothes for evacuees from the town of Slave Lake, Alberta, who are staying in the town of Athabasca's community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Volunteers unload a trailer of clothes for evacuees from the town of Slave Lake, Alberta, who are staying in the town of Athabasca's community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Volunteers unload clothes and food at the evacuee centre in Athabasca, Alta., Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Chris Radis holds his cat Kratos as his girlfriend Lisa Lazaruk lloks on at the evacuee centre Athabasca, Alta. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Jim Nelson and his son three-year-old son Dylan, from Slave Lake, Alberta, take a break on the curb outside the evacuee centre in Athabasca's community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Donations for the fire evacuees from Slave Lake, Alberta, are piled high in Athabasca's community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Fire evacuees from Slave Lake, Alberta, make their home in Athabasca's community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Donations for the fire evacuees from Slave Lake, Alberta, are piled high in Athabasca's community Sportplex on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The remains of houses are seen in Slave Lake, Alta., on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The remains of houses are seen in Slave Lake, Alta., on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The remains of cars at a dealership in Slave Lake, Alta., on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The remains of houses are seen in Slave Lake, Alta., on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
The remains of houses are seen in Slave Lake, Alta., on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
Electrical workers work around the remains of houses in Slave Lake, Alta., on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.
THE CANADIAN PRESS\Ian Jackson
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