As of 9 May 2016, the Alberta wildfire in Canada has spread to 1,610 square kilometres. For a little perspective, London and New York City cover 1,572 and 1,214 square kilometres respectively. It is unprecedented - 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as the monstrous wildfire nicknamed “The Beast” rages on through central Canada.
Officials are now claiming that only natural intervention in the form of a significant amount of rain could quell the fire. This is, by far, the worst wildfire in recent Canadian history; it has now been eight days and the fire continues to engulf whatever is in its way.