Famous Jasper Resort in the Rockies Engulfed in Flames as Thousands Evacuate

 

Buildings in the Canadian tourist town of Jasper are ablaze as wildfires force 25,000 residents and visitors to evacuate. The fires have spread through Jasper National Park, causing "significant loss" in the town, according to park officials on X (formerly Twitter).

The western provinces of Alberta and British Columbia have been plagued by hundreds of wildfires. Over the past week, more than 58,000 lightning strikes have ignited new blazes following a three-week heatwave, reports BC Wildfire Service.

Approximately 1,900 firefighters from Alberta, along with additional teams from Alaska and Australia, are working to protect vital infrastructure, including the Trans Mountain Pipeline, which remains operational with sprinklers in place for protection.

British Columbia has recorded over 400 fires, while Alberta has seen 176. Environment Canada predicts a possible break from the extreme heat with 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 inches) of rain expected on Thursday.

The intensity of the fire has been so great that some weather experts suggest it is creating its own weather system, including thunder and lightning.

Fires were first reported in Jasper last week. Mayor Richard Ireland expressed profound sorrow over the devastation, calling it the town's "worst nightmare" in a Facebook post on Thursday. He extended his deepest sympathies to those affected and noted that first responders continue to protect the town from further damage.

The wildfire reached the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge on Wednesday night. Although all guests were evacuated safely, the extent of the damage remains unclear, according to spokesperson Anastasia Martin-Stilwell. She praised the efforts of first responders, saying, “The dedication of our first responders and those coming to our aid cannot fully be expressed.”

Eleonor Dumlao described her panic during the evacuation order, which prompted her family to leave Jasper and head to an evacuation center in Edmonton. She shared her distress with the Edmonton Journal, saying, “It was so very terrible... I was so panicking.”

Jasper National Park reported deteriorating air quality in the area. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith urged residents to "leave safely" and stated she was in "constant contact" with authorities. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government has approved assistance for Alberta, including deploying Canadian Forces, evacuation support, and additional firefighting resources.

Daniel Turner, who attempted to evacuate with friends, recounted their struggles with heavy traffic and ultimately ended up sleeping in a Canadian Tire parking lot. Meanwhile, Jim Campbell and Shawn Cornett were among those who packed up quickly and left a Jasper backcountry campsite as the evacuation order spread.

In the U.S., wildfires have also affected several states, including California and Utah. More than 30 million people in the U.S. have been under heat warnings since early July, covering states such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.