"Repair Crews Assess Canada Wildfire Damage, Oil Firms Plan Restart"

"Repair crews were expected to assess wildfire damage to the Canadian energy boomtown of Fort McMurray on Tuesday as the oil sands companies surrounding the ravaged city looked at bringing production back on line.

Political leaders got their first glimpse of the city on Monday since wildfire forced 88,000 residents to flee for safety. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said they were encouraged by how much of it escaped destruction, estimating almost 90 percent of its buildings were saved.

But the tour also revealed scenes of utter devastation, with blocks of homes reduced to blackened foundations, front steps and metal barbecues.

Notley said 2,400 structures had burned within the city while almost 25,000 were saved."

Rod Nickel reports for Reuters May 10, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Canada's Oil Output Spared Fire Damage Seen Able to Rebound" (Bloomberg)