Trudeau Praises Firefighters Efforts to Save Oil Sands City

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says most Canadians have yet to grasp the lengths to which firefighters went to save nearly 90 percent of the oil sands capital of Fort McMurray from a massive wildfire that forced the evacuation of more than 88,000 people.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is given a briefing at the Regional Emergency Operation Centre during a visit to Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, on May 13, 2016. Alberta officials say 2,432 structures have been destroyed, 530 damaged, and 25,000 saved. The fire is now 930 square miles (2,410 square kilometers) in size and has moved away from the city. It's expected to burn in forested areas for at least a few more weeks. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says most Canadians have yet to grasp the lengths to which firefighters went to save nearly 90 percent of the oil sands capital of Fort McMurray from a massive wildfire that forced the evacuation of more than 88,000 people.

Trudeau visited the devastated northern Alberta city on Friday almost two weeks after the wildfire ignited, tearing through the isolated region and surrounding areas, causing several oil sands operations to shut down. Alberta officials say they will have a plan within two weeks for getting residents back into their homes.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with Fort McMurray fire chief Darby Allen as Alberta Premier Rachel Notley (R) looks on in Edmonton, on May 13, 2016, before a flight to Fort McMurray. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP