RCMP tactical teams search for stragglers who refuse to leave Fort McMurray

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This article was published 05/05/2016 (3802 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – RCMP in Alberta have brought in special tactical teams to root out people who refuse to leave fire-ravaged Fort McMurray.

“We still have some people hanging around and we are trying to ensure everyone’s safety,” Sgt. Jack Poitras said Thursday.

“Right now we have special tactical operations inside the city looking to make sure that there is nobody left behind.”

Poitras said police found two stragglers Wednesday night and there have been others.

They were sent out of the city on a bus. They won’t face charges.

There were no details about why they refused to leave after days of fires that have torched more than 1,600 structures.

“They are not giving us a reason,” said Poitras. “They are just refusing to go.”

The tactical teams will be checking homes and yards for people, he said.

On Thursday, growing wildfires burned across the main road that links the city to Edmonton. Fire near the junction of Highways 63 and 881 delayed trucks carrying supplies to Fort McMurray.

Poitras said fires make it too dangerous to ship fuel and other supplies north of the city to help thousands of people who have been stranded since Monday.

He said it is also too risky to let those people drive south through Fort McMurray.

“There has been too much fire around the road to let them through,” he said. “If and when it becomes safe, we will let them through.”

Some members of the RCMP from Fort McMurray have remained on the job despite losing their homes to fire.

Cpl. George Cameron said he wasn’t sure if his house is still standing.

“It makes a tough job harder,” he said.