(Jasper) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire struck Jasper National Park and its town on Wednesday evening.
One of two fierce wildfires threatening Jasper, Alta., tore through the town Wednesday night and began burning buildings.
National park officials say the fire reached the southern edge of the community around 6:40 p.m. local time, or 8:40 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Images on social media showed hotels, including the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and other buildings engulfed in flames.
On social media X, the park reported that the fire caused significant losses in the city, but specific locations or neighborhoods affected were not reported.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
A map of the smoke plume, dated July 24
Jasper Park Lodge Hotel’s X account claimed the flames reached the hotel grounds, but the extent of the damage, if any, is not yet known.
“We have approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance. We will deploy Canadian Armed Forces resources, evacuation support and other emergency resources, and we will coordinate firefighting and airlift resources,” Prime Minister Trudeau wrote on the social network.
As the flames burned, officials said air quality dropped to dangerous levels, prompting fire crews without breathing apparatus to evacuate to the nearby community of Hinton.
Structural firefighters remained on scene in the Alberta mountain town to try to protect key infrastructure.
Jasper was besieged by fires from the north and south, and the town’s 5,000 residents, along with 20,000 park visitors, had already left two nights earlier.
PHOTO LE MINH KHUE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Visitors evacuate Jasper National Park on July 22, 2024.
Earlier, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted a statement on Facebook saying her thoughts were with the evacuees and those still battling the fire.
For his part, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland delivered a message intended to comfort his fellow citizens, while thanking the emergency services currently working on the ground.
“In the face of such overwhelming adversity, it is imperative that we support and strengthen one another. While the road ahead is daunting and uncertain, remember that you are not alone. Our community is resilient, and by standing together, we will find a way through this, together,” he wrote on the Town of Jasper Facebook page.
Unsuccessful attempts
The northern fire was spotted five kilometres from Jasper earlier Wednesday.
The southern fire had been reported eight kilometres from town, but Katie Ellsworth of Parks Canada said strong gusts blowing behind the fire had fuelled it.
The fire perimeters changed by the minute. Mme Ellsworth said helicopter roundup efforts failed.
PHOTO BY JASPER NATIONAL PARK, PROVIDED BY THE CANADIAN PRESS
The wildfire seen from the streets of Jasper, July 24.
Crews using heavy equipment to build the firewalls were unable to complete the work before having to withdraw for safety reasons.
Water bombers were unable to assist due to dangerous flying conditions.
A last-ditch attempt to redirect the fire toward natural obstacles like Highway 16 and the Athabasca River failed due to “unfavorable conditions.”
The hope was that up to 20mm of rain, expected in the region later on Wednesday evening, would bring some relief.