Up to 88,000 people have been displaced in the Albertan city of Fort McMurray as a result of raging wildfires, with residents of three more Canadian communities being forces from their homes.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau describing it as "the largest fire evacuation in Alberta's history".
Mandatory evacuation orders have now been issued for the Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First Nation areas - all of which are about 50km away from where the fire first began.
More than 1,600 homes have been torched so far as the wildfire thrived in unseasonably hot temperatures and windy conditions.
Television footage showed the smoldering remains of a large motor home park, and the blackened carcasses of cars consumed by the flames.
Mr Trudeau told Canada's parliament: "Homes have been destroyed. Neighbourhoods have gone up in flames".
"The footage we've seen of cars racing down highways while fire races on all sides is nothing short of terrifying."
Premier of Alberta, Rachel Notley tweeted this photo yesterday:
The view from the air is heartbreaking. Thanks to everyone working hard to get this fire under control. #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/uZ3GBLlqAW
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) May 4, 2016
Temporary shelters and emergency operation centres which were being used to house evacuees and offer support have been forced to relocate because of the spreading flames - with one makeshift centre now 175 miles south of Fort McMurray.
Scott Long, an Alberta official, has said it is possible "a large portion" of Fort McMurray has been lost and a state of emergency has been declared.
More than 1,110 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers are fighting a total of 49 fires, with seven of them burning out of control.
Our crew taking their first rest since leaving #shpk yesterday evening. #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/a2iBdU1xhg
— Strathcona Fire (@StrathconaFire) May 4, 2016
The wildfires are already having huge economic consequences for the city.
Oil production in the area has been shut down, with global oil prices driven up. An estimated 640,000 barrels per day of crude output is offline, which is about 16% of Canada's production, and the outage could increase.
Fortunately, major oil sands facilities have not been in the path of the flames so far.
