Massive effort underway to rescue evacuees trapped by Canada wildfire

FOR MCMURRAY, Alberta (KGO) -- A massive effort is underway Friday morning to rescue evacuees trapped by a fierce wildfire burning in Alberta, Canada.

The fire is still out of control.

Officials are hoping it's safe enough to move thousands of people in a mass highway convoy as the devastating fire continues to rage.

Bright red flames and dark plumes of smoke can be seen rising from the trees.

RELATED: Residents evacuated as fire threatens Canada oil sands town

The fire started last weekend and has since quadrupled in size. It's so large it can be seen from space and 85,000 people were forced to evacuate around the town of Fort McMurray.

Alberta is now under a state of emergency.

More than 1,100 firefighters are on the front lines. "The fire seems to be spreading around town and coming back in and out. Seems to be going further out all the time so we're trying to keep track of it but the wind keeps changing directions," RCMP Sergeant Jack Poitras said.

In the midst of all of this chaos, Canadians are stepping up with donations. The Red Cross is assembling care packages for the tens of thousands now displaced from the fire.

One person died while trying to escape the flames. She is a 16-year-old who was the daughter of a deputy fire chief.