BC, Canada — Up to 25,000 residents and tourists are under a state of emergency in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, due to a wildfire that started suddenly. The evacuation of Jasper National Park was conducted in a disorderly manner due to the presence of thick smoke, which obstructed the sky and forced individuals to navigate the only available mountain pass.
One of the residents evacuating the fire described the situation as "bumper-to-bumper traffic in thick smoke." Her 7-kilometer drive, which typically takes approximately an hour, turned into an ordeal of several hours due to the limited fuel supply.
The wildfires that have swept across western Canada have particularly devastated Jasper National Park, prompting the mass evacuation of nearly 10,000 people from the town of Jasper, home to 4,700 permanent residents. With roads to Edmonton and the Icefields Parkway blocked, Alberta authorities instructed evacuees to detour east and seek shelter. British Columbia, already battling more than 300 wildfires, could not afford to take in additional evacuees.
The town of Jasper was home to about 10,000 residents, including seasonal workers, when the evacuation order was issued, according to Alberta Emergency Management estimates, while Parks Canada said about 15,000 people were affected within the entire Jasper National Park. Authorities traveled to Lake Kagaho to evacuate residents in a thorough evacuation effort.
The reality of evacuation and relief efforts
Long lines of cars, headlights shining through thick smoke, and out-of-breath travelers painted a bleak picture of the current situation. Highway closures forced some residents to bypass B.C. and head to reception centers in Grande Prairie and Calgary, Alberta.
Despite the situation, the City of Jasper and Jasper National Park announced that they had conducted an orderly evacuation. Authorities focused on alleviating traffic congestion, refueling vehicles, and assisting vulnerable populations while simultaneously fighting the fire.
The Alberta government issued an emergency alert, saying “all residents of Jasper should evacuate immediately.” Parks Canada described the situation as a “dynamic evolution,” and evacuees scrambled to gather supplies, pets, and important documents within a tight five-hour window from midnight to 3 a.m. on the 23rd.
Setting up and operating temporary shelters
Campgrounds, hostels, and education centers were also ordered to evacuate, and fire management officials worked to rescue hikers stranded in the backcountry via helicopter. In response to the crisis, Jasper National Park canceled all reservations from July 23 to August 6 and offered full refunds.
Many evacuees sought refuge in the small town of Valemount, B.C., 120 kilometers west of Jasper, where a local arena provided temporary beds, a church provided breakfast, and a community hall provided refreshments and information, quickly exceeding capacity.
Alberta Forests Minister Todd Loewen highlighted that the majority of the fires were caused by lightning and that further incidents are anticipated. The smoke from the fires has spread as far as the southern United States, resulting in haze and the issuance of health warnings in some areas.
This event will serve as a prime example of the resilience and collaboration of agencies and communities in the midst of one of the most challenging wildfire seasons on record.
