Jasper wildfire destroys dozens of structures, overwhelms firefighters

Dozens of structures in Alberta’s beloved mountain town of Jasper have been destroyed after a fast-moving wildfire grew into a towering wall of flames hundreds of metres tall, overwhelming firefighters who had to evacuate as parts of the community were turned to ash.

Parks Canada said they have been unable to fully assess the extent of the damage because of dangerous conditions and work still under way to contain the out-of-control blaze. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith estimated, at a separate news conference, that more than a third of structures, and possibly half, in Jasper may have been destroyed, but the federal agency said it did not have the same numbers.

Sheena Campbell, a spokesperson with Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety, later clarified to The Globe and Mail that the numbers the Premier cited were based on “cursory observations from field officers.”

Videos and photos surfacing of the town show utter devastation with businesses and homes burned to the ground. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland described the damage as “almost beyond comprehension.”

In an update Thursday afternoon, Parks Canada said the most significant structural damage is concentrated on the west side of the Jasper townsite. The wildfires also damaged a number of bridges in the area, including the Moberly Bridge and the Old Fort Point Bridge. Overpasses on the scenic Icefields Parkway will also need to be assessed, delaying its reopening, added the agency.

Much of the town’s critical infrastructure, such as the hospital, schools and the wastewater treatment plant, has been protected.

“Firefighting efforts have prevented significant damage to much of the infrastructure in the east end of town,” said Parks Canada. “Our priority remains protecting structures that have not yet been impacted by fire.”

The historic Jasper Park Lodge appears to have escaped the worst of the fire so far.

“We can confirm that though the hotel did incur fire damage, most of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge structures, including our main lodge, remain standing and intact,” said Anastasia Martin-Stilwell, a spokesperson for the hotel.

“While we will need time to assess the full extent of the damage and the timelines required for repair and restoration, we are deeply relieved that much of the property was spared and we will re-open in the future.”

Ms. Smith, at the provincial update earlier in the day, was overcome with emotion as she spoke about the disaster while trying to offer some comfort to those affected.

“To those in Alberta and around the world who have experienced the magic of Jasper, the magic is not lost and never will be,” she said.

Mr. Ireland said the municipality is working closely with other levels of government, volunteers and organizations to co-ordinate relief efforts and provide essential information and resources to his community.

“I speak to you today with profound sorrow as our community begins to come to terms with the devastating impacts of last night’s wildfire that has simply ravaged our small, tight-knit mountain community,” he said at a news conference alongside Parks Canada.

Only about 5,000 people live permanently in Jasper, located within the picturesque Rocky Mountains, but millions from across Canada and abroad visit the townsite and surrounding Jasper National Park annually.

Roughly 25,000 residents and visitors were safely evacuated from Jasper since two wildfires were detected on Monday evening. The southern fire reached the townsite just 48 hours after its discovery because of gusting winds and bone-dry conditions. The smoke became so dangerous on Wednesday evening that wildland firefighters had to flee to the nearby town of Hinton, about 80 kilometres northeast.

Pierre Martel, director of national fire management with Parks Canada, said flames on Wednesday evening soared 100 metres above the treetops as the inferno barreled through the final five kilometres into town in less than an hour. Despite some rain overnight and throughout the day Thursday, the aggressive fire continues to burn in Jasper. The agency said the two main fires have now merged, but provided little information on its specific location.

‘Significant loss’ in Jasper as wildfires close in, burning buildings and forcing fire crews to retreat

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday convened the Incident Response Group to discuss the wildfire efforts. Mr. Trudeau was briefed on the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces, which will help with evacuations and the co-ordination of firefighting and airlifts, in response to Alberta’s request this week for federal assistance.

Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan was in Edmonton to help co-ordinate efforts with various government agencies to respond to the rapidly-evolving situation. Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis, during a press conference with Mr. Sajjan, said his federal counterpart “has been wonderful” in ensuring collaboration and they are working to compile the necessary resources.

Ms. Smith and Mr. Trudeau spoke Thursday and the Premier said she has also been in communication with federal ministers and local officials and will assist in every way possible. Parks Canada is “calling the shots,” she added, as the park is under federal jurisdiction.

The RCMP checkpoint a few kilometres west of Hinton remains, preventing unauthorized travellers from accessing the disaster zone.

‘Our whole life — it’s gone’: Jasper wildfire evacuees find refuge in B.C. town amid shock and grief

Some of the privately owned firefighting trucks and related utility vehicles staged in the town’s Walmart parking lot were repeatedly turned away from the checkpoint on Thursday. The industrial and municipal firefighters are now waiting for authorities to allow the private crews in, according to Kris Liivam, owner of Arctic Fire Safety Services.

“Firefighters are like a moth to a flame,” he said. Mr. Liivam assembled a team of roughly 40 firefighters with heavy equipment, such as water and industrial fire trucks, after being contracted to protect about a dozen high-value properties, like recognizable hotels, from the fires. He estimated there are about 2,000 private firefighters in Alberta, along with about 150 to 200 private fire trucks.

Governments have not yet fully integrated private contractors into their wildfire strategies, so private businesses and insurance companies are increasingly hiring people like Mr. Liivam to do preventative work, such as removing patio furniture and mulch, as well as defending buildings against encroaching flames. Mr. Liivam said his team’s services will be needed despite rainfall soaking the area.

“Don’t let this rain fool you,” he said, adding that a week of precipitation is needed to make a real difference.

Some Jasper residents have already given up hope that their businesses or homes are still intact.

Annelies Lagger, who has owned and lived in the Austrian Haven bed and breakfast for over three decades, said she lost the little hope she had remaining for her homestead after she learned the neighbouring Maligne Lodge had burned down.

“Now, it’s probably gone,” said Ms. Lagger, who added that she had no time to take any of her personal belongings when she fled with only her 13 cats and dog. “I’m 82 years old. I don’t think I will survive much longer. My home was like my soul, my heart. It was everything.”

With a report from Gavin John