Alberta wildfires: Jasper National Park blaze reaches townsite, multiple structures on fire

Images of destruction emerged from one of the most popular and scenic destinations in Alberta as a wildfire reached the mountain town of Jasper.

The fire inside Jasper National Park arrived at the townsite the evening of Wednesday, July 24, 2024, less than an hour some first responders and essential workers were evacuated because the situation had become too dangerous to stay.

The air quality then deteriorated to the point that wildland firefighters and others without self-contained breathing apparatuses needed to evacuate to Hinton, some 50 kilometres east of Jasper.

The fire burned too fast and fierce to be stopped, despite the efforts to build fire guards and drop water.

One hotel in town, Maligne Lodge, was destroyed. Across the Athabasca River, the world-renowned and picturesque Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge was also affected by the fire, although the extent of the damage there was not yet known.

Firefighters from across Alberta were deploying to help and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said federal supports were being sent in, including the Canadian Armed Forces.

Lisa MacGregor reports from the area with the latest.

#GlobalNews #jasper #jaspernationalpark #jasperwildfire

[BradFriday]

This makes me so incredibly sad this morning. At a loss for words. Jasper has been so important to me throughout my life. This news is really a gut punch.

[yazpistachio]

Born and raised there. Heartbroken. My heart home.

[NancyThorne-nk]

As teens, my best friend and I hitchhiked across Canada to spend the summers of 1971 and 1972 camped beside the pristine Athabasca River. The town of Jasper meant so much to us and changed our lives forever. I'm heartbroken.

[clairefarnell]

Huge rain last night. Thick cloying yellow smoke now. No wind. More rain expected today.

[darylwilliams]

First the mountain pine beetle came through, killing hundreds of thousands of trees around the town. Now fire is coming through, and those trees are just so many torches. And they're all around, north, south, east and west of the town.

[martinthegooner]

Just returned to England from a holiday in Canada. visited beautiful Jasper and stayed at Jasper Park Lodge. Can’t believe it. Desperately sad.

[gkihuqu]

I’m from Costa Rica and 12 years ago I moved to Jasper. Lived and worked there for almost 5 years. This is the place where I made some of my best memories of my life, friends and where I also met the love of my life. Breaks my heart to see what’s happening to a place I once called home.
Stay strong but most importantly, stay safe.

[yeshuamessiah]

People should give thanks to God that not one life was lost, I am thankful for that, my prayers are for you.

[shawnhunt]

It's sad. My wife and I were married there 12 year's ago and the places we visited there were so welcoming to us our hearts go out to everyone there and stay safe

[raykrocker]

So sad, God Bless the people fighting the fire.

[andrewepp]

My heart goes out to all those who are affected by this devastation. God bless the firefighters trying their best.

[Xylophone]

My heart is breaking 💔.
I spent many years there and this is awful 😢
Everyone stay safe 🙏

[greggreg]

Thank you, Lisa for the reporting in the dangerous area🙏

[elinebrock]

So sad for the people of Jasper and its the significance of the historic structures. Praying for rain.🙏

[airborne_v]

As a former evacuee from fort Nelson our prayers are with you

[kimmariefaber]

Last year I was flying out of Prince George, and about 100 firefighters from Mexico were in the airport getting ready to fly north. Thank goodness I speak Spanish so was able to thank them for their efforts- what an incredible sight to see!

[EweCantHandletheTruth]

Living in Banff for almost 30 years, this has always been a worry of mine that it’ll happen here…

[lorenamarie]

I was just there last week :( JASPER family reunion ... my grandson Jackson, who will be one and a half years old next week, I was telling him all the things we'll do there when he's a bit bigger. Heartbreaking~praying for containment of the fire, & help from rain to get it put out.

[alliward]

Absolutely devastating. Prayers for the firefighters and the families that have homes in jasper as well as business owners.

[vstar]

I visited the park three weeks ago. The trees that died from the Pine Beetle infestation 5 years ago were still there up on the hills. Parks Canada never removed them. They became part of the landscape to the point where regular visitors just didn’t notice them anymore. Obviously they added to the intensity of the fire.