Parks Canada says the fire has caused significant losses within the town
Alberta’s Jasper National Park and its townsite are under siege from two wind-whipped wildfires, one of which raced into the picturesque community on Wednesday night, causing extensive damage.
Jasper, a postcard-perfect mountain town, is famous for hiking, skiing, kayaking and biking. It is also home to dozens of species such as elk, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, black bears and grizzly bears. The United Nations designated the parks that make up the Canadian Rockies, including Jasper, a World Heritage Site in 1984.“Structural firefighters remain in town and are working to save as many structures as possible,” Parks Canada said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, all first responders were ordered out of Jasper National Park for their safety and to give fire crews more room to operate. The following day, evacuees in B.C. who didn’t have a place to stay were directed to make the long drive around the fires back to Alberta to evacuation centres in Grande Prairie and Calgary.
At the Grande Prairie evacuation centre, Addison McNeill recalled arriving in Jasper from Edmonton only to be told to get out.McNeill said she went to a nearby hotel, one of two meet-up points for those without transportation. She hopped in a recreational vehicle with others and headed out — at a snail’s pace.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Parks Canada officials to provide update on Jasper wildfiresThe evacuation of the Jasper National Park townsite was completed by Tuesday evening, as wildfires burned south and north of the community.
Read more »
'Aggressive fire behaviour' led to sudden evacuation of Jasper, Parks Canada saysEvacuees from Jasper, Alta., clog the highway early Tuesday morning. Multiple wildfires in Jasper National Park flared up late Monday night, forcing all park visitors along with the 4,700 residents of the Jasper townsite to flee west with little notice over mountain roads through darkness, soot, and ash.
Read more »
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews outJASPER, ALTA. — A fast-moving wildfire has hit Jasper, Alberta, destroying buildings and chasing some wildland firefighters away with dangerously poor air
Read more »
BEYOND LOCAL: Jasper wildfire burns buildings, poor air quality forces some crews outPark's social media account says the fire has caused significant loss within the townsite
Read more »
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews outJASPER, ALTA. — A fast-moving wildfire has hit Jasper, Alberta, destroying buildings and chasing some wildland firefighters away with dangerously poor air quality.
Read more »
Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews outJASPER, ALTA. — A fast-moving wildfire has hit Jasper, Alberta, destroying buildings and chasing some wildland firefighters away with dangerously poor air quality.
Read more »