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The massive wildfire that has destroyed thousands of structures in Fort McMurray and threatens the heart of the oilsands continues to grow.

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The most recent assessment shows the fire burning an area of nearly 423,000 hectares, Alberta wildfire information officer Travis Fairweather said Wednesday morning.

“There’s still some air quality issues with the smoke,” Fairweather said when asked about conditions in the fire zone. “There’s probably going to be the same weather for a good portion of the day, but we’re hoping for the rain forecast for tomorrow and Friday.”

On Tuesday, the blaze was 355,000 hectares in size. In an update on Tuesday afternoon, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley spoke about how the hot dry weather and changing winds was complicating plans for re-entry, and putting efforts to restore utilities and prepare critical infrastructure like the hospital on hold.

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Officials also confirmed Tuesday that damage had been done to several additional homes in Fort McMurray following an explosion in the neighbourhoods of Dickinsfield and a fire in Thickwood.

Oilsands facilities are also being threatened by the ever-expanding blaze. Horizon North’s 655-unit Blacksand Executive Lodge was engulfed by flames after being evacuated on Monday night, along with thousands of workers from more than a dozen other camps.