Canadian Wildfires: 25,000 Evacuated from Jasper
Fires Consume the Famous Rockies Resort town of Jasper
Several buildings in the Canadian tourist town of Jasper have fallen victim to raging wildfires forcing the evacuation of approximately 25,000 individuals earlier this week. The fire has wrecked havoc throughout Jasper National Park causing significant damage to the local town, park officials confirmed.
The wildfire hell has swept through western provinces of Alberta and British Columbia (BC), sparked by over 58,000 lightning strikes just last week. These were fueled by a relentless three-week heat wave, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
International Assistance to Tackle the Blazes
Around 1,900 Alberta firefighters have been deployed to combat the flames, with additional support from personnel from Alaska and Australia. Their mission is to protect local infrastructure, including the Trans Mountain Pipeline, a government-owned pipeline meandering through Jasper National Park. So far, sprinklers are being used to protect it and it continues to operate.
In the latest count, more than 176 fires in Alberta and 400 in British Columbia have been recorded. Environment Canada officials have been cautiously optimistic about a breakthrough in weather conditions, with the expectation of 1cm to 2cm of rain soon. This will help combat the dry and hot weather that has allowed the fire to grow.
Wildfires Generating Their Own Weather System
The wildfires have grown so intense that some weather experts suggest they’re creating their own weather system, generating thunder and lightning. This phenomenon sometimes occurs in the face of intense blazes. The fires in Jasper were initially reported last week.
‘Worst Nightmare’ Descends on Jasper
Describing the situation as Jasper’s “worst nightmare”, mayor Richard Ireland took to social media to express his profound sorrow at the “devastating impact” of the wildfire on the community. He acknowledged the “destruction and loss” faced by many inhabitants as being beyond description and expressed his deepest sympathies to affected individuals. He also praised the tireless efforts of responders still working to protect the town from further damage.
Damaged Inflicted to Historic Resorts and Individual Experiences
Unfortunately, the wildfire was able to reach the grounds of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge on Wednesday night which led to the guests’ immediate evacuation. The extent of damage to the historic resort is yet to be clarified. The resort’s spokesperson Anastasia Martin-Stilwell stated that they were “devastated by the situation.”
Various locals shared their heartbreaking experiences in the midst of evacuation orders. Eleonor Dumlao, recounting her experience to a local newspaper, expressed her panic and confusion during the evacuation process.
Jasper National Park’s Air Quality Dips
Due to the ongoing situation, Jasper National Park recently reported a significant deterioration in local air quality. This national park is recognized as the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
Federal Assistance Mobilized for Alberta
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith urged residents to evacuate safely following the evacuation orders. In a heartfelt post, Smith confirmed she was in constant contact with related authorities ensuring people’s safety. Further bolstering efforts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed his government’s approval of a request for federal assistance. He announced immediate deployment of Canadian Forces resources, evacuations support, and additional emergency wildfire resources to the province.
Evacuation Scenes From Jasper
Daniel Turner, a local resident, recounted how he followed evacuation orders along with three of his friends. They ran into bumper-to-bumper traffic attempting to leave Jasper which forced them to stay behind and seek refuge in a parking lot.
Jim Campbell and Shawn Cornett faced a similar situation. They were asleep in their tent at a campsite in Jasper’s backcountry when the evacuation order was issued and ended up being among the last to leave the site.
US States Also Affected
Earlier this week, wildfires also affected several US states, including California and Utah. Over 30 million people have been affected by heat warnings in the US as per the National Weather Service. These warnings were in place across five states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state.
