Wildfire Devastates Jasper, Alberta: A Third of Town Destroyed

A significant wildfire in Alberta, Canada, has wreaked havoc in Jasper, a renowned tourist destination and the world's second-largest dark sky preserve. The fire, which ignited a week ago coinciding with record-breaking global temperatures, has consumed approximately 79,000 acres, or 123 square miles, as of Sunday night. Officials have declared this the largest wildfire in Jasper National Park in a century, with expectations that firefighting efforts will continue for at least three months. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reported that nearly 50% of the buildings in Jasper have been lost to the flames. Current assessments indicate that out of 1,113 structures in the town, 358—about one-third—have been destroyed. Fortunately, critical infrastructure, including the hospital, library, and firehall, has been successfully protected from the blaze, according to local officials. Firefighters have made some progress in combating the wildfire, managing to widen control lines to safeguard the town from anticipated increased fire activity. A foot-high sprinkler line is nearing completion around the community to bolster protection efforts. However, weather forecasts predict dry conditions that could exacerbate the fire's growth, underscoring the urgency of current firefighting measures. The Parks Canada update highlights the challenges posed by the extensive area affected by the fire, with numerous hot spots remaining due to prior drought conditions and the fire's intensity. These hot spots require significant water application to extinguish fully, complicating ongoing firefighting efforts.