Jasper Wildfire Devastates Town, Significant Damage Reported
As wildfires continue to ravage the picturesque mountain town of Jasper, officials estimate that between 30 and 50 percent of the townsite has been lost. The blaze, which made its way into the community on Wednesday night, has inflicted severe structural damage, particularly on the west side of town, southwest of Miette Avenue.
Parks Canada reported significant damage to key infrastructure in Jasper, including several critical bridges. The Moberly Bridge and the Old Fort Point Bridge are among those affected. Additionally, bridges along the Icefields Parkway will require structural assessments, potentially slowing access to Maligne Lake and Highway 93.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith addressed the public with a somber update on Thursday morning, acknowledging the severity of the situation. “We are seeing horrific pictures and images,” Smith said, her voice trembling. “We will recover from this.”
Before the fire reached the town, approximately 25,000 people had evacuated Jasper National Park since an evacuation order was issued on Monday night. Officials have confirmed that all residents, visitors, and responders are safe.
Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen described Wednesday as a “truly heartbreaking day in our province’s history.”
The wildfire, driven by wind gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour from the south and southeast, spread rapidly, causing the north and south fires to merge. However, Thursday’s rain and cooler temperatures have significantly subdued fire activity. Parks officials stated, “While the rain helped reduce fire activity slightly, it is not enough to have made a meaningful impact to the overall wildfire situation, which remains out of control.”
Unified Command, comprising Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper, continues to manage the crisis from the Town of Hinton. Significant structural firefighting reinforcements have arrived to aid in the efforts, helping to prevent further damage to essential infrastructure on the east end of town, including the hospital, emergency services building, schools, activity center, and wastewater treatment plant.
While the immediate threat may have lessened due to favorable weather, the situation remains critical. The community of Jasper, along with provincial and national partners, are working tirelessly to combat the wildfire and assess the full extent of the damage. Recovery efforts will be extensive, but there is a collective resolve to rebuild and recover from this devastating event.
