A massive influx of at least 20,000 evacuees have fled to Edmonton from Fort McMurray, and more are en route, the city鈥檚 mayor says.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson says hotels are slashing prices and Edmontonians are opening their doors to help resettle the wave of displaced Albertans. The city has also established a reception centre, and at least 3,000 people have checked in.

鈥淪o far we鈥檝e been able to absorb a huge number of people. How long we can do that for, I think, depends on the kindness of Edmontonians, which at this point seems virtually unlimited,鈥� Iveson told CTV鈥檚 Power Play on Thursday.

The massive wildfire now covers approximately 850 square kilometres -- an area bigger than New York City -- and has forced more than 50,000 Fort McMurray residents to flee south. Another 25,000 have headed north to oil camps for safety.

Some evacuees have moved in with family, friends and co-workers in Edmonton, while others have tapped into insurance to help pay for lodgings. For others, a reception centre with cots, food and washrooms has been set up at the Northlands Expo Centre.

Edmonton is prepared to accommodate evacuees for several weeks if necessary, Iveson said.

In several respects, Edmonton has become the 鈥渟ervice hub鈥� for relief efforts, Iveson said.

鈥淲hether it鈥檚 our firefighters who are on the ground working with their colleagues from Wood Buffalo, or whether it鈥檚 our transit operator shuttling people from the airport to the reception centre, or whether it鈥檚 our emergency relief folks who are actually running the reception centre, it鈥檚 kind of all hands on deck with the initial response,鈥� Iveson said.

Flames have torn through the northern Alberta city and destroyed homes and other buildings in their path. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said Wednesday that approximately 1,600 structures had been damaged or destroyed.

Iveson said Edmonton is prepared to remain involved in relief efforts once the flames subside.

鈥淐ertainly we expect to be a staging ground for what will be a massive rebuilding exercise in the months to come,鈥� he said.

The mayor said he had the opportunity to visit the reception centre Thursday and speak with evacuees. In one case, a man only had time to pack a single bag and was forced to hitchhike to Edmonton.

鈥�(He) had nothing but good things to say about the kindness of his fellow northern Albertans and Edmontonians to get him safely to where I was able to talk to him,鈥� Iveson said.