This release was issued under a previous government.

Residents are evacuating Fort McMurray using Highway 63 in both directions. Evacuations are currently underway from Fort McMurray using Highway 63 both north and southbound.

As of 4:35 p.m. access to Hwy 63 is closed at the Hwy 881 intersection just south of Ft McMurray.

Anyone who must be on the highway to support the fire response is asked to use extreme caution due to reduced visibility and high traffic volume as residents evacuate the area.