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At Least 1,600 Homes Destroyed In Alberta Wildfires

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There is a state of emergency across the Canadian province of Alberta as wildfires burn out of control.

New video was released Thursday which shows people evacuating their homes in Fort McMurray.

Burning ash rained down on the roadway through the heavy smoke.

Forty-nine different wildfires have burned up at least 1,600 homes and more than 24,000 acres of land.

Alberta Wildfires
(credit: Michel Chamberland)

More than 1,100 firefighters and 145 helicopters have been deployed to fight the flames.

No deaths or injuries have been reported

As the fire continues to move, some parts of the city are starting to see the damage left behind.

Officials say there is no timeline for when people can return home.

WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says Minnesota is already seeing some effects of the fires. There are no reports of any respiratory danger for Minnesotans because surface winds are coming in to the state from the southwest.

Minnesotans, however, will experience some beautiful sunrises and sunsets, as the sunlight plays with the particle matter in the atmosphere from the fires.

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