‘Significant loss’ in Jasper townsite as firefighters work to protect critical infrastructure

Multiple structure fires have been reported in Jasper as crews work to protect critical infrastructure after a wildfire reached the town late Wednesday.

It was confirmed flames from one of two threatening wildfires that were being driven by strong winds and reached the southern edge of the townsite around 6:30 p.m.

Some images and video posted to social media show buildings fully engulfed in flames in the south part of town.

Parks Canada confirmed “significant loss” within the town as of 10 p.m. and say structural firefighters continue to work to protect the wastewater treatment plant, communications facilities, the Trans Mountain Pipeline and other pieces of critical infrastructure.

In a post to X, the Fairmont’s Jasper Park Lodge says the flames have reached the grounds of the hotel, but the extent of the damage isn’t known yet.

“At this time, we know that parts of the resort remain untouched,” the hotel said in the 10 p.m. Wednesday post.

Anyone who has not yet evacuated the area is being asked to leave immediately and many first responders are being relocated to the town of Hinton, about 100 kilometres east of the Jasper townsite.

Parks Canada says it was determined around 8:30 p.m. that the air quality was so bad that some firefighters and other without breathing apparatuses would need to leave the town.

“Firefighting personnel, aircraft and a small number of incident command staff will remain in the town,” reads an online post from the Municipality of Jasper.

“Given the intensity of fire behaviour being observed, the decision has been made to limit the number of responders exposed to this risk.”

A last minute effort to try and change the fire’s direction to natural barriers, such as Athabasca River and Highway 16, was not successful. Another blaze continues to move towards Jasper on the north side of town.

Parks Canada was expecting increased fire behaviour on all flanks of two out of control fires near Jasper on Wednesday due to continued high and gusty winds — 20 km and more — as well as the general “exceptional dryness” of the area.

The south wildfire that has reached the town grew to 10,800 hectares and was still eight kilometres away as of Wednesday afternoon — four kilometres closer than it was the day before. It as pushed to the edge of town after strong wind gusts from the south and southeast persisted throughout the day.

The north wildfire was at 270 hectares, around five kilometres from the town as of the early afternoon Wednesday.

Rain is in the forecast but isn’t expected to hit until the evening and into Thursday, and there won’t be enough of it to control the wildfire, Parks Canada says.

Premier Danielle Smith posted to social media late Wednesday, thanking emergency crews and saying the UCP government will have more to say on the fire situation on Thursday.

“I am heartbroken to see reports that the wildfire has entered the townsite of Jasper,” reads the post from Smith. “The safety of everyone is our number one priority, and thankfully the town was evacuated earlier this week.”

An estimated 25,000 people — residents, workers and visitors — were forced to evacuate Jasper on Monday night into Tuesday morning. Officials are unable to provide a timeline on when the evacuation order might end, or when residents may be able to return temporarily to recover some belongings.

“It is not safe for you to return to town,” said Parks Canada Incident Commander Katie Ellsworth. “We do ask for your patience.”

Parks Canada says 245 people on backcountry trails have been evacuated, with more evacuations happening Wednesday. The national park agency could not identify how many people were still remaining on backcountry trails; anyone with reservations for the area are being contacted.

There has been some structure loss along Highway 16 and Icefields Parkway, though Parks Canada could not say what was impacted because fire crews cannot get close enough to provide accurate assessments.

Ellsworth says there could be campgrounds, picnic areas, washroom facilities or power lines in the impacted area.

The Alberta government announced Wednesday they were asking for help from the Canadian military as the province’s wildfire situation continues to worsen.

The federal emergency preparedness minister acknowledged receiving Alberta’s request and says the federal government will offer whatever assistance is required.