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The mayor of Jasper was in a Wildfire Floodwaters entered the town after prompting the evacuation of 25,000 people from Jasper National Park.
“The news of the fire reaching our town tonight has come as a shock to us all.” Richard Ireland wrote in a Facebook post local time shortly before midnight Wednesday.
Earlier in the evening, Parks Canada confirmed that multiple buildings were affected in the mountain tourist community of western Alberta.
“There has been structural damage. I can’t confirm how many locations or specific buildings,” said James Eastham, wildfire information officer for Parks Canada.
“The fire continues to grow. The situation is changing rapidly.”
“Each of us shares your pain and heartache,” Ireland wrote. “Please know that my thoughts are with you during this extremely difficult time.”
“To all the first responders in our town – our hometown – words cannot express our admiration and gratitude for your professionalism, dedication and tireless work.”
The Alberta government confirmed late Wednesday that it has asked the federal government for assistance from the Canadian military to deal with wildfires in the province.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed in a statement that his government was providing assistance.
“We have approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance,” he said. “We are immediately deploying Canadian Forces resources, evacuation support and additional emergency wildfire resources to the province — we are coordinating firefighting and airlift assistance.
“Alberta, we are with you.”
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in a The video was posted to social media on Wednesday nightGov. Danielle Smith said her thoughts are with everyone who has been forced to flee their homes or residences because of the wildfires, as well as with “those who remain in our communities.”
“If you can leave, please do so safely and take care of yourself,” she said. “To the first responders and firefighters, we wish you all the best and stay safe as you fight this fire.”
As of Thursday morning, emergency officials had not received any reports of injuries from the fire.
The owner of the iconic Jasper Park Lodge resort has confirmed that the fire has spread inside the resort but said the extent of the damage was not yet known.
The company that owns the Marlene Hotel confirmed that the hotel had been destroyed by the fire.
“It is with great sadness that we lost our beloved Marlene Lodge tonight,” said Karyn Decore, president and CEO of Decore Hotels.
“We are deeply saddened, and we feel for all the other business owners, operators, residents and kind people who call Jasper home.”
Parks Canada officials acknowledged late Wednesday that conditions were “exceptionally difficult” that day but noted firefighters would work through the night to try to save the rest of the town.
“While the road ahead is difficult and uncertain, remember that you are not alone,” Ireland said. “Our community is resilient and united, and we will find a way to get through this together.”
It’s unclear when the military aid will arrive at the national park, but officials confirmed help from various Alberta municipalities is also on the way.
Global News spoke with evacuees living near Hinton, Alta., on Wednesday evening, when wet ash was visible in the air.
Aman Singh, who works in Jasper, said he left on Tuesday and everyone realized it was a “tense situation.”
“This is a tough situation for everybody who lives in Jasper,” he said, adding that he could feel the “ash getting into my lungs” while he was outside.
As wildfire conditions intensified in the town of Jasper on Wednesday afternoon, some emergency workers were forced to evacuate because conditions had become too dangerous to stay.
Parks Canada officials said air quality had deteriorated to the point where wildland firefighters and others without self-contained breathing apparatus were required to evacuate.
A Parks Canada official reiterated Wednesday evening that safety is the agency’s top priority and that it is critical that all evacuees register at a reception centre as quickly as possible so officials can understand their status.
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— Karen Bartko of Global News with files
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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