Late Monday night, visitors, campers, and residents of Jasper National Park were instructed to evacuate as a wildfire, fueled by high temperatures and winds, posed a significant threat to the park in western Alberta.
An Alberta Emergency Alert issued shortly before 10 p.m. MT, and updated later, indicated a wildfire was raging south of the town. The alert mandated an immediate evacuation for both Jasper townsite and the entire national park. The fire was reportedly advancing towards the community, initially expected to reach Jasper by 3 a.m. Tuesday.
At around 11 p.m., the alert was updated, urging everyone to evacuate immediately. A line of vehicles was seen waiting to leave Jasper as the evacuation commenced at 10 p.m., scheduled to continue until 3 a.m. Tuesday. Evacuees were advised to travel west on Highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway, towards British Columbia. They were also instructed to bring identification, essential documents, medications, pets, and emergency kits. Anyone needing transport out of Jasper was directed to the Activity Centre, Forest Park Hotel, or Maligne Lodge.
The Municipality of Jasper declared a State of Emergency due to the wildfire. Parks Canada announced the closure of Highway 16 east of Jasper townsite to the park gates near Hinton and the Highway 93 Icefields Parkway between Kerkeslin Campground and Athabasca Falls. The RCMP also closed eastbound access to Jasper to aid firefighting efforts.
Alberta Wildfire reported that travelers heading to Jasper National Park should return to their point of origin unless directed otherwise. Though the fire falls under Parks Canada’s jurisdiction, Alberta Wildfire provided support with ground resources and a helicopter, alongside other agencies assisting in firefighting and evacuation efforts. Fortunately, there was no immediate threat to Yellowhead County communities or the towns of Hinton and Edson, although wildfire danger in the region was deemed extreme.
Weather forecasts for Tuesday predicted high temperatures of 28°C with 15% relative humidity, coupled with westward winds at 20-25 km/h, later shifting to northeast winds at 15 km/h. These conditions were expected to exacerbate fire activity.
Earlier, Parks Canada and the Jasper Fire Department responded to a wildfire near the transfer station, approximately nine kilometers northeast of Jasper townsite. Travelers heading west towards British Columbia were advised to detour north via Grande Prairie on Highway 40 or south to Highway 1 through Banff. Those traveling from British Columbia to Alberta were directed to detour south on Highway 1 or north on Highway 2.
