Parks Canada called Wednesday “an exceptionally difficult day for Jasperites, incident personnel and everyone who loves Jasper”
Two fires near Jasper converged on the town site Wednesday evening, leaving some structures damaged and reducing air quality to the point some emergency crews had to flee the scene.
On social media, Parks Canada called Wednesday “an exceptionally difficult day for Jasperites, incident personnel and everyone who loves Jasper.”
It acknowledged that “significant loss” had occurred in the townsite but was not confirming which structures had been damaged or the extent of that damage.
“Due to the ongoing fire conditions and our focus on the response effort, it is impossible to share information about specific locations and the extent of damage at this time. As you can understand, the accuracy of this information is critical because it has a direct impact on members of the community,” Parks Canada said in a statement early Thursday.
“While we understand people are desperate to know about the status of our community, homes, work places, businesses, and cherished places we will need some time to stabilize this incident as we access and assess structures.”
Video posted to social media from within the townsite showed many homes burnt to their foundations, with scorched cars lining area streets.
Other social media video showed the Maligne Lodge had been damaged by fire, and the Jasper Park Lodge acknowledged late Wednesday that the flames had reached its property.
The damage was caused by two fires that approached the townsite from the northeast and the south, the latter of which is thought to be among the largest fires in the history of Jasper National Park.
“Significant structural firefighting reinforcements arrived throughout the night and have continued to assist with firefighting efforts in the community overnight and this morning,” reads the statement from Parks Canada.
It was hoped rainfall late Wednesday would help the situation but Parks Canada said Thursday morning that wasn’t the case.
“Jasper National Park received a small amount of rain overnight,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland also posted a statement to social media in the early hours of Thursday, saying the news that flames had reached the townsite “has rocked us all.”
“The pain and heartache that you feel is shared by each one of us. Please know that my thoughts are with all of you during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
“In the face of such overwhelming adversity, it is imperative that we support and strengthen each other. While the road ahead is daunting and remains uncertain, please remember that you are not alone. Our community is resilient, and united we will find a way to get through this, together.”
More rain is forecast for Jasper on Thursday with temperatures cooling into the mid-teens from last week’s highs of over 30 C.
As of mid-day Thursday, there were 176 active wildfires across Alberta, including 53 that are classified as out of control.