Alberta Wildfires, Rocky Mountain National Parks

"The feelings of loss and fear and loneliness must be overwhelming."

"We share the sense of loss with all of those who live in the town, who care for it, and who have helped build it."

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

 

"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."

"The accuracy of this information is critical because it has a direct impact on members of the community."

"We will share more information as soon as we are able to ensure its accuracy."

Jasper Park authorities

 

"Lightning strikes happened late in the day on Monday and they were accompanied by very, very strong winds and we already had significant drought conditions that have been building up through the summer."

"We're dealing with a fire that has flames that are about 100 metres above the tree tops. It is just a monster at that point."

"There are no tools we have in our tool box to deal with that. At that point, you get out of the way, you retreat and  you do what you can to protect communities and infrastructure."

Pierre Martel, Director, Fire Management, Parks Canada 

Jasper has been a popular tourist resort for decades (Tourism Jasper)

 

There are, as yet, no details of direct specific information of what has been destroyed in the Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper, with its 5,000 residents' homes. On Wednesday, two fires near the town converged; for the time being it is known that structures have been damaged and destroyed, but how many and which they are is not yet confirmed. The fire has reduced air quality to the health-averse extent that even emergency crews were forced to leave.

Parks Canada has acknowledged that "significant loss" has struck the town, but was unable to confirm the extent of the damage -- while Jasper Park officials advise that the situation remains dynamic. Social media-posted photographs of the town reflected structures surrounded by sheets of living flame. By Thursday, there was a video of town streets slicked with rain, heavily overcast skies and burnt homes charred by unstoppable flames.

The mountain town with its magnificent geological and historical profile, recreationally famous for hiking, skiing, kayaking and biking, is in an area of animal species including elk, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, black bears and grizzlies. Its geological splendour is unrivalled as a gift of nature. That same nature now has issued a challenge to the very creatures nature herself designed to live in the mountains. 

 

The parks that comprise the Canadian Rockies' fame, Jasper included, were designated a World Heritage Site in 1984. 

 

The five thousand residents of the town, along with an estimated 20,000 tourists were directed to leave the area at a moment's notice late on Monday night when twin wildfires approaching from the south and north roared into view, cutting off escape routes leading in eastern and southern directions. 

 

While the long lines of vehicles snaking through smoke-and-fire-filled routes of escape from the inferno were approaching destinations in British Columbia, they were instructed to turn back, to find refuge elsewhere in Alberta -- evacuation centres in Calgary and Grande Prairie, in recognition that untamed wildfires in British Columbia left that province to deal with its own residents, with no capacity to aid those from a sister province.

Buckets and fire guards, reflecting desperate efforts to contain the fires, along with a plan to burn a path from the southern fire to the river and highway failed, as a result of raging, gusting winds' interference. By early evening on Wednesday the fire roared its entrance to Jasper, to begin its raging destruction of the town's structures.

 

Other provinces, which have experienced their own wildfire emergencies in the near past, are sending in their own resources for fire-fighting and rescue assistance. Two water bombers were sent in from Quebec, along with personnel. Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have responded to the emergency unfolding in Alberta with personnel and fire-fighting materiel. 

"I write to  you [residents] today with profound sorrow as we begin to come to terms with the devastating impact of last night's wildfire that has ravaged our beloved community."

"The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension."

"Your resilience and strength have always been the backbone of our community. In the coming days and weeks, we will rally together, support one another, and begin the daunting process of recovery."

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland