Overnight on Monday, dangerous wildfires in Alberta province, Canada, led to the evacuation of Jasper town and Jasper National Park. Evacuation orders were issued late at night for everyone in the area. By Tuesday evening, the evacuation of the town was successfully completed.
Jasper National Park, a popular destination that attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors last year, had to be closed due to at least two fires burning within its boundaries. The fires, one covering 6,750 hectares and the other 270 hectares, posed a significant threat to the region.
The evacuation process was challenging, with authorities working to evacuate backcountry hikers and ensure the safety of residents and visitors. The town of Jasper, with a population of around 4,100, had an estimated 10,000 people present at the time of the evacuation order.
Evacuees faced difficulties as they fled in darkness with little time to prepare. The evacuation routes were primarily directed west toward British Columbia, with some traffic allowed to travel east in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Neighboring British Columbia quickly mobilized to support evacuees, providing assistance and resources along the evacuation routes. The wildfires in Alberta are part of a larger crisis, with over 170 fires burning in the province amid worsening fire activity.
Canada has raised its national preparedness level for wildfires to the highest category, indicating a high to extreme potential for significant wildland fires. Firefighters are hoping for downpours in the Jasper evacuation zone to help control the fire spread, although breezy conditions may complicate firefighting efforts.
Despite millions of acres burned in Canada this year, the current fire season is tracking below last year's record-breaking levels. Weather forecasts suggest the possibility of rain in the coming days, which could aid in containing the fires and mitigating further damage.
