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At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.

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Flames rise in Industrial area south Fort McMurray, Alberta. The whole city of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order because of an uncontrolled wildfire that is rapidly spreading, local authorities said on Tuesday.CBC NEWS/Reuters

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Fire burns right next to Hwy 63 in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The wildfire one kilometre west of Gregoire in Fort McMurray remains out of control and has burned approximately 2650 hectares.Lynn Daina

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Smoke fills the air as people drive on a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.CAOS91.1/The Canadian Press

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Vehicles congesting the Central Highway 63 route through Fort McMurray. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice.Greg Halinda for The Globe and Mail

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Smoke fills the air near a parking lot in Fort McMurray, Alberta. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.CAOS91.1/The Canadian Press

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Wildfire is worsening along highway 63 Fort McMurray, Alberta. The whole city of Fort McMurray is under a mandatory evacuation order because of an uncontrolled wildfire that is rapidly spreading, local authorities said on TuesdayCBC NEWS/Reuters

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Smoke fills the air as cars line up on a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016 in this image provide by radio station CAOS91.1. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.CAOS91.1/The Canadian Press

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Smoke fills the air near a parking lot in Fort McMurray, Alberta. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.CAOS91.1/The Canadian Press

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Smoke fills the air as people drive on a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.CAOS91.1/The Canadian Press

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Trees burn near a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents.CAOS91.1/The Canadian Press

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