Forest Fire in Canada Reaches Town: "Out of Control"

One of two large forest fires in western Canada has reached the town of Jasper and set buildings on fire. Around 25,000 people have been evacuated from the area. The fire is still out of control, says Alberta Province's Premier Danielle Smith.

» Published: July 25 2024

Forest Fire in Canada Reaches Town: "Out of Control"
Photo: Jasper National Park/The Canadian Press/AP/TT

One of two large forest fires in western Canada has reached the town of Jasper and set buildings on fire. Around 25,000 people have been evacuated from the area.

The fire is still out of control, says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

Smith has tears in her eyes as she updates the press on the situation.

This is the worst nightmare for any community, she says according to BBC.

Between 30 to 50 percent of the town's buildings may have been damaged, according to Smith:

It will be about a massive rebuilding and relocation.

The 1,900 firefighters are working under extremely dangerous and demanding conditions. At least 400 firefighters from around the world are on their way to help.

Wall of fire

The forest fire has spread through the national park in the Rocky Mountains and entered the tourist town of Jasper from the south on Wednesday evening local time. A wall of fire, estimated to be around 100 meters high, took 30 minutes to advance half a mile to the town, according to the authorities.

Firefighting efforts are underway to save as many buildings as possible and to protect critical infrastructure, including a water treatment plant.

"The damage appears to be extensive," says Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland in a statement.

The fire has reached the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge hotel, but it is still unclear how extensive the damage is, the hotel reports on X. The hotel in the park has been evacuated.

25,000 evacuated

Around 25,000 people, including 5,000 residents and 20,000 park visitors, fled with short notice on Monday evening when the fires flared up. No one is reported to have been injured.

On Wednesday evening, the national park reported that the air quality was so poor that firefighters and others without independent breathing apparatuses would have to leave the area and head to the nearby town of Hinton.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that his government has approved a request from the province of Alberta for federal assistance.

Could not be stopped

Most things went wrong in the initial attempts to dampen the fire. The water bombers had to retreat due to the dangerous conditions, and the fire situation changed minute by minute.

Jasper National Park was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1984, due to its magnificent mountain landscape. The town of Jasper is located in the national park.

Alberta has had high temperatures recently, and nearly 180 fires are raging in the province. Many of the fires have been started by lightning strikes.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Argentina Opens Secret Files on
1 MIN READ

Argentina Opens Secret Files on Nazi Refugees and Their Financiers

Suspected Worst Rapist in UK
1 MIN READ

Suspected Worst Rapist in UK History Faces New Allegations

Liberal Judge Susan Crawford Wins
1 MIN READ

Liberal Judge Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat

Man Rescued Alive in Myanmar
1 MIN READ

Man Rescued Alive in Myanmar Five Days After Earthquake

Israel Intensifies Gaza Offensive, Targets
2 MIN READ

Israel Intensifies Gaza Offensive, Targets Southern Regions

Frederiksen Visits Greenland as Concerns
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Visits Greenland as Concerns Over US Interest Persist

China Conducts Extensive Military Drills
1 MIN READ

China Conducts Extensive Military Drills Near Taiwan's Coast

White House Evaluates Economic Impact
2 MIN READ

White House Evaluates Economic Impact of Potential Greenland Acquisition

WWII Codebreaker Charlotte Webb, Honored
2 MIN READ

WWII Codebreaker Charlotte Webb, Honored by Queen, Dies at 101

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev to Meet
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev to Meet US Officials in Washington Talks

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Strikes in Ukraine Leave One Dead, Injure Several

Cory Booker's 25-Hour Senate Speech
3 MIN READ

Cory Booker's 25-Hour Senate Speech Sets Record in Trump Protest

Trump Adviser Faces Scrutiny Over
2 MIN READ

Trump Adviser Faces Scrutiny Over Private Email Use in Security Role

Zelenskyj Seeks Support for Potential
1 MIN READ

Zelenskyj Seeks Support for Potential Peacekeeping Forces in Ukraine

Denmark Sets 18-Year Age Limit
1 MIN READ

Denmark Sets 18-Year Age Limit for High-Alcohol Drinks

Le Pen Awaits Appeal Verdict
2 MIN READ

Le Pen Awaits Appeal Verdict on 2027 Election Ban Next Summer

Fourth Missing US Soldier Found
1 MIN READ

Fourth Missing US Soldier Found Dead in Lithuania

Russian Advances in Eastern Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Russian Advances in Eastern Ukraine Slow for Fourth Month

Bird Flu Outbreak Hits Danish
1 MIN READ

Bird Flu Outbreak Hits Danish Farm, 24 Chickens Culled

23 States Sue Trump Administration
2 MIN READ

23 States Sue Trump Administration Over Health Funding Cuts

Europol Set for Expansion in
1 MIN READ

Europol Set for Expansion in New EU Security Strategy

Search Continues for Missing Plane
1 MIN READ

Search Continues for Missing Plane in Norway with Two Feared Dead

Trump's First Foreign Trip as
1 MIN READ

Trump's First Foreign Trip as President: Saudi Arabia and Beyond

Danish Police Arrest 10 Bandidos
1 MIN READ

Danish Police Arrest 10 Bandidos Gang Members at Sejet Inn

German EU Politician Faces Probe
1 MIN READ

German EU Politician Faces Probe Over Controversial Nazi Greeting Post

EU Eyes Boosting Eastern Infrastructure
1 MIN READ

EU Eyes Boosting Eastern Infrastructure for Defense and Development

23 States Sue Trump Administration
2 MIN READ

23 States Sue Trump Administration Over $11 Billion Health Cuts

Israel Sets Record for Palestinian
3 MIN READ

Israel Sets Record for Palestinian Home Demolitions in West Bank

Red Cross Faces Deadliest Attack
2 MIN READ

Red Cross Faces Deadliest Attack in Eight Years During Gaza Conflict

Georgia Approves US-Inspired Agent Law
1 MIN READ

Georgia Approves US-Inspired Agent Law After Criticism

Scottish Fisherman Missing Since 2021
1 MIN READ

Scottish Fisherman Missing Since 2021 Identified on Norwegian Coast

Ukraine Election Preparations Denied by
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Election Preparations Denied by Zelenskyj's Party Leader

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Man Gets Life for Murdering Finnish Hockey Star Janne Puhakka

Denmark Sees Highest Wolf Population
1 MIN READ

Denmark Sees Highest Wolf Population in Modern History

USA and Ukraine Resume Talks
1 MIN READ

USA and Ukraine Resume Talks on Key Mineral Agreement

Finland Prepares to Exit Ottawa
1 MIN READ

Finland Prepares to Exit Ottawa Treaty on Personal Mines

Denmark Boosts Defense with 130
1 MIN READ

Denmark Boosts Defense with 130 New Armored Vehicles from Finland

Media Worker Killed in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Media Worker Killed in Gaza as Evacuations Ordered in the North

Palestinian Teen Dies in Israeli
2 MIN READ

Palestinian Teen Dies in Israeli Prison After Six Months Without Charge

Bardella Slams Le Pen Verdict
1 MIN READ

Bardella Slams Le Pen Verdict as Politically Driven in EU Funds Case