Thousands flee wildfires near Canada’s Jasper National Park

Flames and smoke rise from a burning wildfire, as seen from a highway, in Jasper, Alberta, Canada, on July 23 [Donald Schroll via Reuters]

Thousands of residents and tourists have fled the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies after authorities warned wildfires were fast approaching, raising fears of another record fire season in the country.

Jasper National Park said early on Tuesday that “multiple wildfires” were burning in the park, located about 370km (230 miles) west of Edmonton in the western province of Alberta.