Jasper Wildfire Becomes Largest in a Century, Evacuations Ordered
- A wildfire in Jasper National Park is reported to be the largest in a century, devastating the town of Jasper and destroying hundreds of structures.
- Canadian officials warn that the fire could continue to burn for several months, showing little sign of control.
- This unprecedented event highlights the increasing threat of wildfires in Canada, likely linked to climate change.
JASPER, Alberta – A devastating wildfire in Jasper National Park has become the largest recorded in the area in a century, leading to the destruction of hundreds of structures in the town of Jasper. Parks Canada officials announced on Saturday that the fire could continue to burn for months, with Deputy Incident Commander Landon Shepherd stating that efforts to manage the blaze will likely extend over the next three months. Despite receiving approximately 1.2 centimeters of rain recently, active hot spots remain near the community. The wildfire has prompted the evacuation of over 20,000 residents in and around Jasper, with reports indicating that 358 out of 1,113 structures in the town have been destroyed. Incident Commander Christine Nadon emphasized that conditions are still unsafe for tours due to hazardous chemicals released from burned buildings and ongoing fire activity at the town's edge. Nadon herself has lost her home to the flames. During a tour of the evacuated town, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other officials discussed the situation, with Alberta's Premier indicating that it may take around 28 days before residents can safely return. This timeline mirrors the recovery period experienced by Fort McMurray residents following a severe fire in 2016. As the situation unfolds, approximately 17,100 Albertans remain evacuated due to wildfires. In contrast, British Columbia is seeing an improvement in fire risk due to recent rain and cooler temperatures, with 385 active fires reported, six of which pose significant threats to communities.