CONKLIN/LAC LA BICHE, Alberta – A catastrophic wildfire that has forced all 88,000 residents to flee Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada has exploded tenfold, cutting off evacuees in camps north of the city and putting communities to the south in extreme danger.

The out-of-control blaze has burned down whole neighbourhoods of Fort McMurray in Canada’s energy heartland and forced a precautionary shutdown of some oil production, driving up global oil prices.

Three days after the residents were ordered to leave Fort McMurray, firefighters were still battling to protect homes, businesses and other structures from the flames. More than 1,600 structures, including hundreds of homes, have been destroyed.

“The damage to the community of Fort McMurray is extensive and the city is not safe for residents,” said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley in a press briefing late Thursday, as those left stranded to the north of the city clamoured for answers.

“It is simply not possible, nor is it responsible to speculate on a time when citizens will be able to return. We do know that it will not be a matter of days,” she added.

Officials warned that the communities of Anzac and Gregoire Lake Estates about 50 km south of Fort McMurray were “under extreme threat,” late on Thursday, as the flames spread to the southeast.

Fire has intermittently blocked the only route south toward major cities, so thousands of evacuees fled north toward oil camps and a few small settlements. On Thursday, frustration for those stranded up north was growing, with some venting on social media sites, demanding answers.

One twitter user posted a message saying, “NO ONE IS TELLING US ANYTHING!! We’re just sitting in a camp praying to get out!! Give us answers!!! Please.”

A government airlift of those cut off to the north began from oil facility airstrips. The premier said some 4,000 people had already been airlifted to the cities of Edmonton and Calgary as of late Thursday.

Officials said with the fire moving to the south east, they are also hoping to be able to begin a ground evacuation from the north on Friday morning

Although the cause of the fire was unknown, officials said tinder-dry brush, low humidity and hot, gusting winds left crews unable to stop the massive conflagration.

The blaze, which erupted on Sunday, grew from 7,500 hectares on Wednesday to some 85,000 hectares on Thursday, an area roughly 10 times the size of Manhattan.

– Reuters