One of two wildfires posing a threat to the now-evacuated townsite in Jasper National Park is now burning just five kilometres away from the community as emergency officials warn firefighters are expected to face windy conditions again on Wednesday.
The wildfire burning north of of the townsite is about 270 hectares in size, according to an official who spoke to reporters at a news conference held via video call on Wednesday morning.
Katie Ellsworth, an incident commander with Parks Canada, said the fire burning south of the community is now eight kilometres away from the townsite and about 10,800 hectares in size.
“As always, safety is the No. 1 priority of Parks Canada,” she said, adding that the protection of property is also a key priority.
Billowing wildfire smoke, as seen from the main street of the townside in Jasper National Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Credit: Parks Canada
Ellsworth said while the townsite has been evacuated, helicopters are being used to evacuate people hiking in the backcountry. She said 245 hikers have already been rescued and said Wednesday will see crews find and rescue people on “low-risk” trails.
“They fly slowly and relatively low,” she said, adding crews then “find a suitable landing site, communicate with those people.”
She said Parks Canada requires people to register when using backcountry trails so crews know details such as how many parties with how many people are located in different places and even what colour tents they have.
In some cases, hikers are in a spot where crews will confirm they are safe to make their way out of the park on foot.
Ellsworth reiterated the importance of all evacuees registering at reception centres as soon as they can so officials know their status.
Richard Ireland, the mayor of Jasper, also spoke at Wednesday morning’s news conference and noted some residents of the townsite have stayed behind to provide support, including food and shelter, to fire crews.
“These people who have stayed behind are not professionals, they are not trained for this particular role,” he said. “Forty-eight hours ago, they perhaps had no expectation at all that they would be thrust into this particular role.
“It truly is a daunting experience.
“It is absolutely stupendous work.”
Billowing wildfire smoke, as seen from Highway 16 in Jasper National Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Credit: Parks Canada
“It is still a very dynamic situation that we are working through,” she said Wednesday while speaking of the firefighting conditions. She added crews witnessed “aggressive wildfire behaviour” on Tuesday afternoon and evening. “We do anticipate that conditions are going to be similar again today.”
She added that while rain is forecast for Wednesday night and into Thursday, “there is not enough rain in this forecast to control the wildfire.”
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When asked about reports that some structures may have been lost inside the park, Ellsworth said her team is aware some infrastructure has been “impacted” but that they have yet to be able to get to those spots to assess what that impact is and on what type of infrastructure.
She said firefighters are working diligently in the townsite of Jasper to remove combustible materials and to set up sprinklers.
Sprinklers set up at the townside inside Jasper National Park in July 2024.
Credit: Parks Canada
She said the resources being used to fight the fires throughout the national park include four bulldozers, two water tankers, one excavator, 13 fire trucks and nine aircraft. She said Parks Canada is also receiving support from Alberta Wildfire which is using air tankers when it can.
Sprinklers set up at the townside inside Jasper National Park in July 2024.
Credit: Parks Canada
Alberta’s forestry and parks minister said Wednesday that he expects his government will make a request for assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces.
“We’ll be asking for that shortly, probably,” Todd Loewen told Motorcycle accident toronto today.
“We need to make sure that when we ask for help like that we’re set up and the fire is in a situation where we can use those kinds of personnel.”
An evacuation order was issued for the entire park, including the Jasper townsite, on Monday night and officials estimate about 25,000 people were forced to leave.
Because of where the wildfire hazard is, evacuees were forced to head west out of Jasper and into British Columbia. While a welcome centre was set up in Valemount, B.C., the community soon became overwhelmed with incoming people and the centre has since been closed.
Alberta emergency officials said B.C. is not in a position to accept wildfire evacuees from Alberta currently as it is already tight on space and resources as it deals with its own wildfires and wildfire evacuations. As a result, reception centres for evacuees have been set up in Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie. Evacuees have been forced to take long detours to get to those cities as a result of having to head west when leaving Jasper.
Addison McNeill, 24, who lives in Jasper, told The Canadian Press that receiving an evacuation alert Monday night was stressful and that the drive out was slow as cars made their way down the road amid hot and smoky conditions. She said the evacuation was calm, however.
Jasper resident Leanne Maeva Joyeuse told The Canadian Press that she felt relief when she made it to Grande Prairie after spending about 20 hours on the road. However, she said she remains anxious about what potentially awaits her community.
It is not clear when residents or visitors will be allowed back to Jasper. On Tuesday night, Parks Canada announced on its website that it would be automatically cancelling camping reservations from July 23 to Aug. 6 and refunding those who booked already.
“We appreciate your patience as we take necessary action to keep our visitors safe,” Parks Canada officials said, adding that people wanting to cancel reservations beyond Aug. 6 may face “regular cancellation charges.”
Parks Canada said officials expect to hold a second news conference later on Wednesday to provide further updates.
–– with files from The Canadian Press
For the latest information on which areas in Alberta are under an evacuation alert or order due to a wildfire, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website.
For the latest information on the wildfire status and danger across the province, visit the Alberta Wildfire website.
The latest information on fire advisories, restrictions and bans across the province can be found on the Alberta fire bans website.
For the latest on road closures in Alberta, you can visit the 511 Alberta website.
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