Jasper wildfire explained

Jasper wildfire
Part of the 2024 Canada wildfires
Evacuated:25,000+
Cause:To be determined
Total Area:39000ha
Date:July 22, 2024 – present
Structures:358 (townsite)
Fatalities:1 firefighter
Location:Jasper, Alberta, Canada

The Jasper wildfire is an ongoing wildfire in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.[1] Fires were initially spotted in the mountains both north and south of the resort town before both reached the town.[2] A mass evacuation was ordered on July 22.[3]

Progression

On July 22, 2024 at 7:00 pm MDT, Parks Canada reported a wildfire northeast of the town of Jasper. Shortly after, a second wildfire was reported south of the townsite. At 8:35 pm, the Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park issued 'preventive' evacuation alerts.[4] By 10:00 pm, an evacuation order was issued for the entire park, and the park was closed indefinitely.[5] On July 23, it was reported that the south fire was from the townsite with an estimated size of 6,750 hectares, while the north fire was estimated to be 270 hectares in size.[4]

On July 23, service on the CN Rail main transcontinental line through Jasper was suspended, with CN sending one of its firefighting trains to the town that same day.[6]

By the morning of July 24, the south fire grew to 10,800 hectares in size and was from Jasper, while the north fire remained the same size and was away. At 6:40 pm on July 24, the south fire reached the townsite. At 8:00 pm, wildland firefighters and other personnel without self-contained breathing apparatuses began evacuating to Hinton due to deteriorating air quality, while structural firefighters remained to protect critical infrastructure and save as many structures as possible. At 10:00 pm, Parks Canada reported that significant loss had occurred within the townsite.

By July 25, roughly 25,000 people had been evacuated,[7] and videos surfaced showing various buildings and structures destroyed by the fire in the southern part of the town. Later that day, park officials reported that the north and south fires had merged together. Including an earlier wildfire near Miette Hot Springs, the Jasper wildfire complex was estimated to be 36,000 hectares in size,[8] which was later lowered to 32,000 hectares following an aerial survey. On July 26, Parks Canada revealed that 358 of the 1,113 structures within the Jasper townsite were damaged by the wildfire while all critical infrastructure such as the hospital, schools, and wastewater treatment plant were saved.[9] On July 27, the Municipality of Jasper released a map and list of addresses of the structures damaged by the fire.[10] A Parks Canada official explained the wildfire was the largest the park had recorded in the last 100 years and could continue to burn for months. [11]

An update from Parks Canada on August 1[12] indicated the wildfire had grown substantially and was now 39000ha, with more growth expected.

On August 17, Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper lifted the evacuation alert for Jasper after the wildfire was classified as being held.[13]

Fatality

On August 3, a wildland firefighter was killed after he was hit by a falling tree while fighting the wildfire northeast of Jasper.[14] The man was subsequently identified as 24-year-old Morgan Kitchen, who was a resident of Calgary and based out of the Rocky Mountain House fire base.[15]

Evacuation efforts

Due to the north and south wildfires converging, Highway 16 and Highway 93 within the park were closed.[16] Anyone travelling towards Jasper was told to turn around. Evacuees travelling from Jasper were ordered by emergency personnel to continue to travel westbound on Highway 16. A welcome centre was established in Valemount, British Columbia as a place for evacuees to rest, although reception centres were quickly overwhelmed, and hotels and lodges were also at breaking capacity.[16] Evacuees seeking government support were directed to go to emergency reception centres in Calgary and Grande Prairie.[16] Buses were brought in to Valemount and Prince George to transport evacuees to the reception centres in Calgary and Grande Prairie, respectively, while one bus was arranged to transport people in Jasper to Edmonton, Alberta.[17]

Disaster response and aftermath

Parks Canada said in a statement on July 25 that a disaster response team had been formed to support affected communities.[18] More than 250 wildland urban interface personnel from across Alberta arrived on July 27 and hundreds of firefighters from Canada, Australia, and South Africa arrived the following day to help battle the wildfire.[19]

The Alberta government provided a one-time payment of $1,250 per adult and $500 per children under 18 for Jasper residents to cover expenses.[19] In addition, the Canadian Red Cross provided a payment of $750 per household that has registered with the organization. The provincial and federal government also committed to match donations made to the Canadian Red Cross with a deadline set for August 24.[20]

Re-entry for Jasper residents opened on August 16 while areas outside of the townsite remained closed.[21]

Landmarks in Jasper such as the Athabasca Hotel, Jasper Skytram, Jasper station, Jasper the Bear statue, Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives, and Marmot Basin were undamaged by the wildfire. Jasper Park Lodge experienced property damage but the main lodge and some structures were spared while the HI Jasper and Athabasca Falls hostels was destroyed. The status of Maligne Canyon and Whistlers Campground are unknown until further assessments are completed.[22] Two churches, St. Mary & St. George Anglican Church and the Jasper United Church, were destroyed.[23]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Canadian wildfires: 25,000 evacuated from the tourist town of Jasper. July 25, 2024. BBC News. July 25, 2024. July 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725135953/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgerpdwxjd9o. live.
  2. Web site: Video shows widespread destruction caused by wildfire in Jasper. CBC News. 25 July 2024. 25 July 2024. July 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725122046/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildfire-that-roared-into-jasper-was-a-wall-of-fast-moving-flame-says-fire-official-1.7274825. live.
  3. News: Cecco . Leyland . Canada wildfires: 25,000 evacuate Jasper national park amid multiple blazes . 25 July 2024 . . 23 July 2024 . July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725223019/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/23/canada-wildfire-jasper-national-park-evacuated . live .
  4. News: Boynton, Sean . Jasper wildfire: Here's how quickly flames engulfed a town . July 25, 2024 . Globalnews.ca . July 25, 2024 . July 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726004410/https://globalnews.ca/news/10643218/jasper-wildfire-timeline/ . live.
  5. News: Berg, Bailey. Canada's Jasper National Park Closed Indefinitely Amid Massive Wildfires . . July 25, 2024 . July 27, 2024 . July 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727175849/https://www.afar.com/magazine/canadas-jasper-national-park-closed-amid-massive-wildfires . live.
  6. News: Stephens, Bill . July 23, 2024 . Wildfire shuts down CN main line through Jasper, Alberta (updated) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723203253/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/wildfire-shuts-down-cn-main-line-through-jasper-alberta/ . July 23, 2024 . July 25, 2024 . Trains.com.
  7. Web site: 25 July 2024 . Famous Rockies resort of Jasper on fire as thousands flee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725135953/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgerpdwxjd9o . July 25, 2024 . 25 July 2024 . BBC.
  8. News: Snowdon, Wallis . Frew, Nicolas . Buildings in Jasper in ashes after 'monster' wildfire rips through mountain community . July 26, 2024 . CBC News . July 25, 2024 . July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725225450/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildfire-that-roared-into-jasper-was-a-wall-of-fast-moving-flame-says-fire-official-1.7274825 . live.
  9. News: Heidenreich, Phil . 30% of Jasper structures destroyed by wildfire, critical infrastructure saved: Parks Canada . July 26, 2024 . Global News . July 26, 2024 . July 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726181029/https://globalnews.ca/news/10645096/jasper-alberta-wildfires-july-26/ . live.
  10. News: Snowdon, Wallis . Frew, Nicolas . Jasper officials release map, list of all structures destroyed by wildfire . CBC News . July 27, 2024 . July 28, 2024 . July 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240728162306/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-alberta-wildfire-1.7277680 . live.
  11. News: Parks Canada official says wildfire in Jasper National Park could burn for months . The Canadian Press . CTV News Edmonton . July 28, 2024 . July 28, 2024 . July 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240728164404/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/parks-canada-official-says-wildfire-in-jasper-national-park-could-burn-for-months-1.6980470 . live.
  12. Web site: Wildfire Status . Parks Canada . 2 August 2024.
  13. News: Frew, Nicolas . Evacuation alert for Jasper, Alta., lifted as wildfire in national park now being held: officials . CBC News . August 17, 2024 . August 17, 2024 . August 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240817203403/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-alberta-wildfire-status-being-held-1.7297605 . live.
  14. News: King, Jasmine . Alberta firefighter dies fighting Jasper wildfire . Global News . August 3, 2024 . August 3, 2024 . August 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804041752/https://globalnews.ca/news/10680195/alberta-firefighter-dies-fighting-jasper-wildfire/ . live.
  15. News: Calgary firefighter who died fighting Jasper wildfire identified . CBC News . August 8, 2024 . August 17, 2024 . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809023002/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-firefighter-identified-jasper-wildfire-1.7289649 . live.
  16. News: Kurjata, Andrew . B.C. towns full, Jasper wildfire evacuees directed to Alberta . July 26, 2024 . CBC News . July 23, 2024 . July 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240723174144/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-alberta-jasper-wildfires-evacuation-1.7272203 . live.
  17. News: Black, Matthew . Thousands escape Jasper wildfire as officials worry situation could worsen . July 26, 2024 . . July 23, 2024 . July 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240724210512/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/jasper-wildfire-evacuation . live.
  18. Web site: Parks Canada Agency . Government of Canada . 2024-07-26 . Wildfire status . 2024-07-26 . parks.canada.ca . July 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725063807/https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/visit/feu-alert-fire/feudeforet-wildfire . live .
  19. News: Hundreds of firefighters arriving to battle Jasper blaze . July 27, 2024 . . July 30, 2024 . July 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240728022125/https://www.fitzhugh.ca/local-news/hundreds-of-firefighters-arriving-to-battle-jasper-blaze-9278627 . live.
  20. July 30, 2024 . Canadian Red Cross announces financial assistance for people evacuated from Jasper due to wildfires in Alberta . . Ottawa . July 30, 2024 . July 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240730202842/https://www.redcross.ca/about-us/media-news/news-releases/canadian-red-cross-announces-financial-assistance-for-people-evacuated-from-jasper-due-to-wildfires . live.
  21. News: Snowdon, Wallis . Jasper residents return to wildfire-ravaged townsite as re-entry begins . CBC News . August 16, 2024 . August 17, 2024 . August 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816153521/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-wildfire-re-entry-1.7295355 . live.
  22. News: French, Janet . 12 Jasper landmarks tourists might wonder about after the wildfire . July 29, 2024 . CBC News . July 29, 2024 . July 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729153807/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-national-park-wildfire-landmarks-1.7278314 . live.
  23. News: Longhurst, John . Two of Jasper’s five churches destroyed by wildfires . August 17, 2024 . . August 17, 2024 . August 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240817213231/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/faith/2024/08/17/two-of-jaspers-five-churches-destroyed-by-wildfires . live.

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