On Wednesday, one of two intense wildfires threatening Jasper, a town in Canada’s largest Jasper National Park, breached the community and began consuming buildings. Jasper National Park officials reported that the fire reached the southern edge of the town in the evening, causing significant structural damage.
Firefighters were engaged in battling multiple fires and working to safeguard essential infrastructure. Forest firefighters and other personnel lacking breathing apparatuses were evacuated to Hinton, while structural firefighters remained to fight the blazes.
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Parks Canada spokesperson James Eastham confirmed that Jasper was enveloped in smoke, with confirmed structural damage but no specific details yet available. Efforts were focused on protecting critical infrastructure, including the wastewater treatment plant, communications facilities, and the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Earlier in the day, many first responders were withdrawn for their safety due to the escalating fire. Jasper faced threats from fires on both the northern and southern fronts, prompting the evacuation of the town’s 5,000 residents and 20,000 visitors on Monday night.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to mobilize all available resources, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed deep concern.
The 2023 wildfire season has been unprecedented, displacing over 235,000 Canadians and impacting U.S. cities with smoke. The northern fire was approximately 3 miles from Jasper, with the southern fire initially 5 miles away but rapidly advancing due to strong winds.
Efforts to contain the fire, including using helicopters and heavy equipment, were hindered by hazardous conditions, and attempts to use controlled burns to direct the fire to natural barriers failed.
The decision to relocate first responders to Hinton was made to minimize their risk, reflecting the severity of the situation. Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is facing one of its most challenging moments.
Despite the evacuation, park rangers continue to search for any remaining individuals, with hopes for rain providing some relief. Meanwhile, Alberta is grappling with extreme temperatures and over 177 active wildfires, forcing additional evacuations.
