Devastating Wildfire Ravages Jasper: 25,000 Evacuated as Flames Devour Up to Half of the Town
GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alberta — A fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies surged into the nearly deserted town of Jasper overnight, with flames reaching treetop heights and devastating up to half of its structures, officials reported Thursday.
There have been no immediate reports of injuries following the mass evacuation earlier in the week of the picturesque resort town and its neighboring national park. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland expressed his deep sympathies to the community, describing the wildfire as having “ravaged our beloved community.”
“The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension. My deepest sympathies go out to each of you,” Ireland stated in a letter on the town’s website.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith revealed that between 30% to 50% of the town’s structures might be damaged or destroyed. She acknowledged the significant rebuild and displacement that will follow, tearing up as she spoke about Jasper’s beauty and its importance to many families in the province.
“We share the sense of loss with all who live in town,” Smith said at a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta, pledging her government’s support for the community’s rebuilding efforts.
Wildfire’s Sudden Fury
Jasper and the adjacent Jasper National Park faced threats from fires on both their northern and southern flanks. The town’s 5,000 full-time residents, along with 20,000 visitors, evacuated on short notice late Monday and Tuesday when the fires escalated.
On Wednesday evening, one of the fires surged into the southern edge of Jasper as firefighters battled to contain the damage. Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis described a wind gust moving the wildfire about 5 kilometers (3 miles) in less than 30 minutes, creating a towering wall of fire.
“People need to picture what those wildfire folks were experiencing at that time. Any firefighter will tell you there is little to nothing you can do when a wall of fire like that is coming at you,” Ellis explained. “Nobody anticipated the fire to come so fast, so large.”
“It’s just a monster at that point. There are no tools we have in our toolbox to deal with that at that point. You get out of the way, you retreat,” he said.
Safe Evacuation and Ongoing Efforts
Parks Canada reported on X that no injuries have been reported, adding, “Approximately 25,000 people were safely evacuated from the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park. All residents, visitors, and responders are safe.”
Park officials indicated that efforts to combat the fire are ongoing and that it is too early to assess the full extent of the damage. They asked for patience, noting that the fire remains out of control despite a small amount of rain that fell overnight.
Personal Stories of Loss
Annelies Lagger, who has owned and lived in the Austrian Haven B&B for 30 years, shared her uncertainty about the fate of her home, as nearby houses have been destroyed. She fled with her 13 cats and dog, saying, “I have no clue where I go now. Heaven or hell. It was my life. You can imagine how much work it was. I think I’m in shock.”
Her relatives, including her daughter and son-in-law, also lost their homes. “It was the heat that dried everything out. And now the town is gone,” Lagger said. Currently sheltering with a stranger in Valemount, British Columbia, she is determined to rebuild despite being 82 years old.
“I’m a very tough woman. Whatever happens, I start again,” she declared.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance, including military resources.
National and Global Support
Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, is regarded as a national treasure. The park is known for its striking mountain landscape and diverse wildlife, including elk, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, black bears, and grizzly bears.
Alberta is currently experiencing scorching temperatures, which have already forced an additional 7,500 people out of remote communities. There are about 176 wildfires burning across the province, with 54 out of control.
Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen noted that many fires are sparked by lightning. Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Christie Tucker mentioned that firefighters are preparing for worsening conditions due to anticipated winds. Hundreds of firefighters from Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and South Africa are arriving to assist in the battle against the wildfires.
A record number of wildfires in 2023 have forced over 235,000 people across Canada to evacuate, sending thick smoke into parts of the U.S. and resulting in hazy skies and health advisories in multiple U.S. cities.
