Jasper National Park Evacuated and Closed Due to Wildfires

Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada has been evacuated and is closed to all visitors. The 4,200 square mile park – 195 miles west of Edmonton, the province’s capital city – is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and includes 144 miles of the 700-mile long Great Divide Trail.

Western Canada has been experiencing an usually hot and dry July causing hundreds of wildfires to occur throughout British Columbia and Alberta. Several fires of note were sparked in Jasper National Park, some within miles of the town of Jasper nestled at the heart of the park.

A wildfire burns near the town of Jasper on July 24 (Source: Jasper National Park/Facebook)

On the evening of July 22, after the severity of the wildfires dramatically increased, an emergency alert was issued instructing everyone in the town of Jasper and throughout Jasper National Park to evacuate immediately. As many as 25,000 residents and visitors fled from the area overnight with instructions to head west into British Columbia, as both eastern and southern routes were cut off by wildfires. Hundreds of backcountry hikers were being evacuated throughout the following days. Several Great Divide Trail hikers were caught up in the evacuation of Jasper, including some who were evacuated by helicopter from the trail.

On the evening of July 24 wildfires from both the north and the south reached the town of Jasper, spurred on by wind gusts. Crews fought to build fireguards and reroute the fire, but the conditions were so dangerous that most of the first responders were forced to leave town.

During a press conference Thursday morning Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the full extent of the damage is unknown but a large portion of the Jasper townsite has been destroyed. Images and videos on social media show many buildings in town reduced to ash and rubble including homes, restaurants, and hotels. 

Firefighters continue to suppress fires in Jasper (Source: Woodland County)

“For many generations the town of Jasper and the parks surrounding it have been a source of pride with some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire world,” shared Smith during the press conference. “To the residents, families and business owners who call Jasper home, we will recover from this. To the men and women on the front line and at all operational levels, thank you for your courage and commitment. And to those in Alberta and around the world who have experienced the magic of Jasper, the magic is not lost and it never will be.”

In the days since the fire, residents have learned that approximately 30% of the townsite burned, many of which were residents homes. There are however still fires threatening the townsite and the highway and the evacuation order remains in place. 

As a result of the evacuation order Jasper National Park has cancelled all camping reservations through to September 3. Great Divide Trail hikers should not depend on accessing any services or resupply in the town of Jasper for the rest of this season.

In social media posts the Great Divide Trail Association has shared that there are full or partial closures of Sections D, E, F and G. They share that the wildfires of BC and Alberta are rapidly changing and that more information can be found through BC Wildfire, Alberta Wildfire and Alberta Emergency Updates.

Updated July 30, 11:00 am

Featured image: Municipality of Jasper/Facebook