Iconic, beautiful national park damaged

A welcome rain was falling Friday over parts of western Canada, where wildfires have been devastating some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country – and the world.

Two fires moving at speeds of more than 60 miles-an-hour converged in the Canadian Rockies on Wednesday, burning through the town of Jasper — along the Athabasca River in Alberta, Canada — destroying nearly a third of its structures.

More than 25,000 residents and visitors were evacuated this week from the tourist town and surrounding Jasper National Park, officials said.

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Rain and cooler temperatures helped to subdue the fire somewhat on Thursday, officials said, but the fire is still burning. Firefighters continued to fight fires in the town, moving from one building to another on Thursday, according to an update from Parks Canada.

“There’s no denying this is the worst nightmare for any community,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. 

“For many generations, the town of Jasper and the park surrounding it have been a source of pride with some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire, in the world,” said Smith, as she was overcome by emotion. 

How much of Jasper was damaged in the fires?

Of 1,113 structures in the town of Jasper, 358 of them were destroyed in this week’s fire, according to a Friday update from the incident command team overseeing the firefighting effort, which includes Parks Canada.

The fire is estimated at roughly 88,000 acres in size, although areas within that perimeter may be only partially burned or not burned at all.

Firefighters said they were able to protect the town’s critical facilities, including the hospital, emergency services buildings, both the elementary and junior/senior schools, an activity center and the wastewater treatment plant.

The fire damaged a number of bridges throughout the national park, including the Moberly Bridge and the Old Fort Point Bridge, the park said. Bridges on the region’s famed Icefields Parkway will be assessed for structural damage, and parks officials said that would slow down access to the picturesque Maligne Lake southeast of town.

The most significant structural damage occurred on the town’s southwest side, officials said Thursday.

Crews continue to fight the fire “and we remain focused on making it safe for the people of Jasper to come home,” the Friday morning update stated. The area remains closed for public safety and the evacuation order remains in effect.

Jasper’s residents and visitors scoured social media posts for news this week trying to get word about their community. 

Bishop Stephen London with the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton confirmed in a Facebook post that the St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church in Jasper was destroyed by the flames.

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland called the fire an “unprecedented challenge.” 

The blaze ravaged Jasper, Ireland said in an update. “The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension.” 

What is Jasper, Canada known for?

“Known for its vast wilderness, majestic peaks, abundant wildlife and outstanding natural beauty, visitors from all over Canada and round the world travel here to experience this very special place,” Parks Canada’s website says.

Jasper is a tourist destination for those who visit the Rockies and Jasper National Park. The park is a World Heritage Site with more than 2 million visitors a year passing through the gates, according to the town’s website. Tourists travel the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff National Parks and visit Athabasca Falls and Athabasca Glacier.

One of Canada’s national treasures, the park boasts over 2.7 million acres and is the largest in the Canadian Rockies. It was established as Jasper Forest Park reserve in 1907 and became a national park in 1930. About 70 species of mammals live there, according to National Geographic, including grizzly bears, moose and elk. The park serves as a preserve for species of wildlife that have declined in other areas.

What’s the Athabasca Glacier?

The Columbia Icefield is the largest remnant of a thick ice mass that once covered much of the area in the Canadian Rockies. The Athabasca Glacier flows from the icefield and down into the valley, where tourists can walk up to the toe of the glacier, following a series of markers that show how much the warming climate has melted the glacier. 

The Athabasca has been averaging a retreat of about 16 feet a year. In 2023, when global average temperatures were their hottest on record, the Athabasca Glacier saw more glacial melt than in any of the previous 10 years, according to Parks Canada.

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY