Wildfires Prompt Evacuations in Jasper, Alberta

Dangerous wildfires have led to the evacuation of the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, with orders issued around 10 p.m. on Monday. The province's emergency alert system mandated that all residents evacuate, and by Tuesday evening, officials confirmed the town's evacuation was complete, although efforts continued to assist backcountry hikers. Jasper National Park, a major tourist destination that attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors last year, remains closed, and compliance with the evacuation order is deemed critical. The evacuation process faced challenges due to the fires' locations, which redirected traffic westward toward British Columbia along Highway 16. In response, officials in British Columbia quickly mobilized resources to assist evacuees. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre has indicated a high to extreme potential for significant wildland fires in the area, compounded by breezy conditions that could lead to erratic fire behavior. As fire activity intensified on Wednesday, strong winds necessitated the relocation of first responders to Hinton, a town approximately an hour's drive from Jasper. Despite this, a small team of firefighters and staff will remain in Jasper to protect residents. The park emphasized that this decision was made with careful consideration, and depending on fire behavior, crews may achieve notable containment progress by Thursday.