One of the two fires that threatened Jasper reached the town on Wednesday, two days after it was evacuated. Several other areas of Alberta are also on alert. In Canmore, not far from Calgary, smoke is omnipresent and residents are “on the lookout” and ready to evacuate, says a Quebecer on the scene.
The fire, which came from the south, reached the town of Jasper in the evening before beginning to engulf buildings. Fire crews were battling the flames to protect key infrastructure.
The flames hit the outskirts of town just before 8 p.m. Eastern Time after last-minute efforts to push back the flames failed, according to Parks Canada.
At the same time, first responders were ordered to evacuate Jasper National Park, to ensure their safety and to give firefighters more space.
On Wednesday afternoon, authorities said the city’s roughly 25,000 residents had been evacuated, but the operation was still ongoing in the hinterland.
To the north, the fire was estimated at 270 hectares and was five kilometres from Jasper. To the south, it was 10,800 hectares and was only eight kilometres from the municipality.
Quebecers on the alert
“We’re all on alert. Since we haven’t had any rain for several weeks, it’s very dry, very hot right now,” says Gabriel Daneau, manager of the Chez François restaurant in Canmore.
Located three hours from Jasper, this town bordering Banff National Park is surrounded by several other fires, including the one in the town of Water Valley, which is just over an hour away. This fire covers 85 hectares and is not under control; it has also forced the evacuation of the community’s residents.
Air quality is clearly affected throughout the region. We can no longer see the mountains when we leave our homes.
Gabriel Daneau
PHOTO FROM JASPER NATIONAL PARK FACEBOOK PAGE
Located three hours from Jasper, the town of Canmore, which borders Banff National Park, is surrounded by several other fires, including the one in the municipality of Water Valley, which is just over an hour away.
“We know that it can happen at any time. It could be a spark and it starts, at this point. Here, we are surrounded by trees, with a geographical environment that is very similar to Jasper,” continues Mr. Daneau.
The latter especially salutes the solidarity effort of the local populations. “It’s so much fun to see all the mutual aid on social networks. There are many people who arrive with their campers and offer a place to sleep, land. This fraternity, sincerely, it’s beautiful,” he says.
Strong winds, rain expected
The blazes raging in Jasper have been fueled by consistently strong and gusty winds. “The fires have been significant and have spread throughout the night,” authorities said Wednesday.
At this time, both fires pose a threat to the Town of Jasper and all efforts are focused on limiting the spread and protecting the community.
Jasper National Park Management
Still, a low pressure system is expected to bring rain soon. That could help “reduce fire growth” and allow the 260 or so firefighters to make progress, but “will not control the wildfires or create the conditions necessary for residents to return immediately,” it added. For now, however, the authorized return date remains unknown.
By Monday night, the evacuation of tourists, hikers, campers, boaters — as well as 4,700 city residents — had created long lines of cars and trucks heading west through the mountains into British Columbia, in darkness and billowing smoke.
“It’s going to be a long night. Stay safe everyone. I left my house 3 and a half hours ago. It’s 1:25 in the morning. I’m still in town among thousands of people trying to evacuate,” wrote Estelle Blanchette, a Quebecer living in Jasper and owner of the company Jasper Food Tours, on social media.
According to Environment Canada, the smoke plume from the current fires is mainly covering Alberta and British Columbia, but it is also extending into several other provinces.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
A map of the smoke plume, dated July 24
On Tuesday, British Columbia said it could no longer house Alberta evacuees. Reception centres were being set up Wednesday in Grande Prairie, to the north, and Calgary, to the south.
Many drivers have had to make significant detours in British Columbia to return to Alberta – either through Prince George, heading north and east to Grande Prairie, or south to Kamloops before heading east to Calgary.
On X, Parks Canada said all camping reservations scheduled between now and August 6 will be cancelled, with a full refund being provided. “Prior to reopening, all campgrounds will need to be cleaned as most visitors left quickly. All staff have been evacuated and it will take time for them to return, re-set up and resume work,” the federal agency also warned.
With The Canadian Press