The perimeter of the Jasper Wildfire Complex Fire was estimated at 36,000 hectares.
The western Canadian resort town of Jasper has been “devastated” by wildfires, officials said. The Great Fire Burning out of control.
The perimeter of the Jasper Wildfire Complex Fire was estimated at 36,000 hectares (about 89,000 acres) as of Thursday night, according to Jasper National Park.
Mapping the fire’s area has been difficult due to factors including high winds, smoke and “extreme fire behavior,” the park said.
The complex fires include two wildfires that started in Jasper National Park on Monday and have since merged, and the Utopia Fire, which started on July 19 near Miette Hot Springs.
“Crews will use this time to make every effort possible to contain the fire and prevent further spread,” Jasper National Park said in an update Thursday night, but noted that forecast warmer weather will likely increase wildfire activity.
The town of Jasper in Alberta and Jasper National Park were closed and evacuations ordered earlier this week due to wildfires in the park, the largest national park in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
The park said the fire reached the town of Jasper on Wednesday evening and caused “significant damage.”
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said the city was “devastated” by the wildfires, and Alberta Premier Daniel Smith said investigations were still ongoing but that Jasper could suffer 30 to 50 per cent building damage.
In an update Thursday morning, Jasper National Park said there were no reports of injuries as a result of the wildfire.
More than 25,000 people were ordered to evacuate the park and Jasper because of the wildfire, officials said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to respond to the wildfires. The prime minister said late Thursday that the government was committing additional resources to “step up” the response to the wildfires in Jasper and across Alberta.
“Our government is working together to keep Albertans safe and supported through this situation,” he said on social media Thursday night.
The Alberta government says the province is experiencing “extreme wildfire conditions”, with more than 170 wildfires burning across the province.
