Emergency Evacuations Ordered in Jasper as Wildfire Approaches

Late Monday night, residents, campers, and visitors in Jasper, Alberta, were urged to evacuate immediately due to an approaching wildfire that has spread rapidly, threatening the town and the surrounding national park. The evacuation alert was issued just before 10 p.m. MT and has since been updated to emphasize the urgency of the situation.

The wildfire is reported to be located south of Jasper townsite, with flames advancing toward the community. In response, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland spoke to Global News, underscoring the significance of the alert. He firmly stated, “Everyone in Jasper and Jasper National Park must evacuate now as the fire moves closer to our area.”

Mayor Ireland noted that the evacuation process started promptly at 10 p.m. and is expected to continue until approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday. Although the original message estimated the fire’s arrival in just five hours, updates throughout the evening clarified that an immediate departure was essential.

As residents began the evacuation process, Ireland expressed hope for a smooth operation, stating, “We’re hoping and expecting that people will continue to be patient with each other and it will be an orderly evacuation.” He mentioned that he had received reassuring updates from those on the ground that the evacuation was proceeding as well as could be anticipated.

Given that it is currently the height of the tourist season, the mayor acknowledged that Jasper was experiencing a high influx of visitors. Hotels in the area were at full capacity, making the evacuation process even more complex. “It sounds like they had their 72-hour kits prepared, as we advised them to do and prepared them to do,” he commented, praising local residents for their preparedness.

Parks Canada confirmed the initiation of evacuations, urging people to head west on Highway 16 toward British Columbia. Mayor Ireland also mentioned that he had received offers of assistance from mayors in B.C., specifically Valemount, which is about 95 kilometers west down the Yellowhead Highway.

For those needing rides out of Jasper, authorities have designated the Activity Centre, Forest Park Hotel, and Maligne Lodge as gathering spots. An emergency alert advised evacuees to bring important documents, identification, medications, pets, and emergency kits.

As evacuation efforts ramped up, the Municipality of Jasper declared a State of Emergency due to the wildfire. The area faced challenging travel conditions, as Alberta’s highways were under increased scrutiny due to firefighting efforts and dangerous fire conditions exacerbated by extreme weather.

The province’s officials reported that the fire situation was dire, with the wildfire danger level labeled as extreme in the region. They acknowledged that both Highway 16, leading east of the Jasper townsite towards Hinton, and the Icefields Parkway were closed due to firefighting operations.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed eastbound access to Jasper has also been restricted as teams work on containing the blaze. They noted that travelers headed towards Jasper National Park would need to retrace their routes unless given specific directions otherwise.

The ongoing hot, dry weather has contributed significantly to fire risks across Alberta, prompting heat warnings to remain in effect. A fire ban has been imposed in Jasper since July 12, with local officials actively working to manage and respond to the dangerous conditions.

Weather forecasts for Tuesday indicated a high temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, alongside low humidity of 15 percent, combined with winds from the west at speeds of 20-25 km/h. These conditions raised concerns among officials that increased fire activity might occur due to temperatures surpassing humidity levels.

In a statement earlier in the evening, Parks Canada reported that crews, including the Jasper Fire Department, were engaged in efforts to manage a wildfire located around the transfer station, about nine kilometers northeast of Jasper. The notice served as a reminder for those traveling west toward B.C. to prepare for detours.

As emergency crews continue their fire response, local authorities are striving to prioritize community safety and swift evacuations. The situation in Jasper remains fluid, with updates anticipated as firefighting operations proceed to combat the wildfire’s advance.