Catastrophic Wildfires Devastate Historic Canadian Town of Jasper

Fast-moving wildfires have wreaked havoc on the historic town of Jasper in Alberta, Canada, destroying up to half of its buildings as firefighters scramble to save what remains. The emergency began with a wildfire northeast of the town on the evening of Monday, July 22, and a second fire broke out south of the town shortly after. Within two days, the wildfires had reached the town, causing extensive damage and prompting the evacuation of approximately 25,000 people, including 20,000 visitors.

The cooler temperatures brought some respite, but the fires remained uncontrolled. Park authorities warned that warmer weather is forecast, which could exacerbate the situation. The fires have also disrupted rail, phone, and power services in the area.

Simultaneously, neighboring British Columbia and several western US states, including California and Utah, are also battling significant wildfires. Despite no immediate reports of injuries, significant damage to the historic townsite has occurred, with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith estimating that 30 to 50 percent of buildings might be destroyed.

So far, no deaths have been reported, but the fires have displaced around 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents from the mountainous Alberta region, a popular tourist destination. Jasper National Park reported that approximately 36,000 hectares (89,000 acres) of land have been affected, though neighboring communities are not currently at risk. The mapping of these fires has been complicated by strong winds, extreme fire conditions, and dense smoke.

During a news conference on Thursday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith struggled to convey the scale of the destruction, revealing that potentially 30 to 50% of Jasper's buildings had been destroyed. "This is the worst nightmare for any community," she said, adding that Jasper National Park has been a cherished landmark for generations.

BBC journalist Wendy Hurrell, in the nearby town of Golden, witnessed the firestorm as it began on Monday. "The storm was ferocious - the skies went dark red with whipping winds, fierce rain, and lightning," she said. "It's utterly devastating for them all, and my heart is breaking." The Canadian National Railway and Via Rail Canada have suspended services in the area, and Air Canada and WestJet are allowing affected customers to rebook or cancel tickets without additional fees. The Jasper Community Team Society has set up a donations page for those looking to assist in the relief efforts.

This disaster marks another challenging year for Alberta, which saw a record 2.2 million hectares burned last year. The wildfires are also affecting British Columbia and several US states, highlighting the broader impact of increasingly severe fire conditions. Researchers warn that climate change could lead to more frequent lightning strikes in northern forests, increasing the risk of such devastating wildfires.