EDMONTON — Fuelled by whipping winds, fires in Jasper National Park bore down from two directions Wednesday on the historic Rocky Mountain townsite of Jasper.
Parks Canada said a wildfire to the north was five kilometres away while another approaching from the south was eight kilometres distant.
“All our efforts are focused on controlling further fire spread and protecting our community," Ellsworth told reporters. The fires cut off road access to the Jasper townsite from the east and the south on Monday night, forcing evacuees to drive west into British Columbia in a long, slow midnight cavalcade through swirling smoke, soot and ash.
At the Grande Prairie evacuation centre, Addison McNeill recalled literally just arriving in Jasper when she was told to get out. McNeill said as she sat inside the vehicle, she felt so close to the wildfires that the windows seemed like they were going to shatter from the pressure of the red, hot, smoky air.
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.
Evacuees flee to B.C. after Jasper wildfires block escape routesEvacuees fleeing Jasper and Jasper National Park are being directed west to B.C. on Highway 16.
Read more »
Jasper wildfires growing, menacing historic Alberta townsite from two directionsEDMONTON — Fuelled by whipping winds, fires in Jasper National Park are edging closer from two directions to the historic Rocky Mountain townsite of Jasper.
Read more »
Jasper wildfires growing, menacing historic Alberta townsite from two directionsEDMONTON — Fuelled by whipping winds, fires in Jasper National Park are edging closer from two directions to the historic Rocky Mountain townsite of Jasper.
Read more »
Jasper wildfires growing, menacing historic Alberta townsite from two directionsEDMONTON — Fuelled by whipping winds, fires in Jasper National Park bore down from two directions Wednesday on the historic Rocky Mountain townsite of Jasper.
Read more »
Jasper wildfire evacuees told to U-turn away from B.C., head to AlbertaAlberta fire officials say B.C. has its hands full with its own wildfires and evacuations
Read more »
Alberta wildfires: Jasper National Park under evacuation order | Watch News Videos OnlineAn evacuation order has been issued for Alberta's Jasper National Park due to a wildfire burning nearby. The order, issued late Monday night, has left park visitors and over 4,000 residents of the Jasper, Alta., townsite with little notice to flee.
Read more »