2024-07-27 03:55:01
The western Canadian resort town of Jasper has been “ravaged’ by wildfire, officials said, as the large blaze burns out of control.
The perimeter of the Jasper Wildfire Complex was estimated to be 36,000 hectares (approximately 89,000 acres) as of Thursday night, according to Jasper National Park.
Mapping the complex has been challenging due to factors including strong winds, smoke and “extreme fire behaviour,” the park said.
In this July 24, 2024, image obtained from the Jasper National Park in Canada, smoke rises from a wildfire burning in the park.
Handout/Jasper National Park/AFP via Getty Images
The complex includes two wildfires that ignited on Monday in Jasper National Park and have since combined, as well as the Utopia Wildfire, which started on July 19 near Miette Hot Springs.
“Crews will take advantage of this time to make as much progress as possible to suppress the wildfire and reduce further spread,” Jasper National Park said in an update Thursday night, though it noted warm weather in the forecast will increase wildfire activity.
A map of the estimated perimeter of the Jasper Complex Fire, as of Thursday night.
ABC News / Jasper National Park, as of July 25, 2024
The town of Jasper and Jasper National Park, located in the province of Alberta, closed and were evacuated earlier this week due to the wildfires in the park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
The fire reached the town of Jasper on Wednesday evening, the park said, resulting in “significant loss.”
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said the town has been “ravaged” by wildfire. There could potentially be 30% to 50% structural damage in Jasper, according to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, as assessments remain ongoing.
In this July 24, 2024, image obtained from the Jasper National Park in Canada, smoke rises from a wildfire burning in the park.
Handout/Jasper National Park/AFP via Getty Images
There have been no reported injuries due to the wildfire, Jasper National Park said in an update Thursday morning.
More than 25,000 people were ordered to evacuate from the park and Jasper due to the wildfires, officials said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to respond to the wildfires. He said later Thursday that the government is deploying more resources to “reinforce” the response to the wildfires in Jasper and across Alberta.
“Our governments are working together to keep Albertans safe and supported through this,” he said on social media Thursday night.
Alberta is experiencing “extreme wildfire conditions,” with more than 170 wildfires burning across the province, according to the government of Alberta.
