Multiple wildfires in Jasper National Park flared up with a vengeance 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.
Division supervisors from New Brunswick and Ontario deliver a morning briefing to wildland firefighters at the Algar Lake Complex near Fort McMurray, Alta., in a Saturday, July 20, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Government of Alberta
The Jasper townsite -- and the park's main east-west artery Highway 16 -- were caught in a fiery pincer. Fires threatening from the northeast cut off highway access east to Edmonton.That left one route open -- west to B.C. "Parks Canada is responding to multiple wildfire starts," the federal agency added in its news release. Evacuees were told they had five hours to clear out -- by 3 a.m. local time Tuesday -- and to carry with them key documents, pets, medication and any other emergency supplies.In B.C., the province scrambled to find places to stay.
"We are able to give them some water, potentially some snacks," village CEO Anne Yanciw said in an interview. "They are already tired. It's the middle of the night, and a three-hour drive to Prince George could just mean accidents. We're telling them that is their final destination, but just not tonight,” Yanciw said."Please avoid the Jasper National Park area along Highway 16 and allow first responders to do their jobs safely," RCMP said in a news release.
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Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closuresA wildfire in Alberta is forcing a well-known mountain community to evacuate. An evacuation order has been issued for the town of Jasper, with residents being advised to head west on Highway 16 to British Columbia.
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Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closuresA wildfire in Alberta is forcing a well-known mountain community to evacuate. An evacuation order has been issued for the town of Jasper, with residents being advised to head west on Highway 16 to British Columbia.
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Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closuresA wildfire in Alberta is forcing a well-known mountain community to evacuate. An evacuation order has been issued for the town of Jasper, with residents being advised to head west on Highway 16 to British Columbia.
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Wildfire near Jasper National Park prompts evacuation order and highway closuresA wildfire in Alberta is forcing a well-known mountain community to evacuate.
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