A historic ski resort in the Rocky Mountains has been devastated by a ‘monster’ 330ft-high wildfire, which has seen 50% of the nearest town burnt to the ground.
The popular tourist destination of Jasper, in the Canadian province of Alberta, has been rocked by the inferno – which has even reached a luxury hotel that was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II.
While the town has just 5,000 permanent residents, 25,000 people fled the scene overnight with flames higher than treetops, devastating up to half of its structures, officials said on Thursday.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, following a mass evacuation of the picturesque resort and a neighboring national park earlier in the week, but Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said in a letter on the town’s website that the wildfire ‘ravaged our beloved community.’
‘The destruction and loss that many you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension, my deepest sympathies go out to each of you,’ he said.
A historic ski resort in the Rocky Mountains has been devastated by a ‘monster’ 330ft-high wildfire, which has seen 50% of the nearest town burnt to the ground
Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta province, said that 30% to 50% of the town’s structures are potentially damaged or destroyed, which will require ‘a significant rebuild and significant displacement.’
Ms Smith was reduced to tears when speaking about the beauty of Jasper, which many tourists visit for activities such as hiking, skiing, kayaking and biking.
The blaze was also confirmed to have spread to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 100-year-old retreat beloved by the royal family.
The late Queen and Prince Philip stayed in the hotel in 2005, nearly 70 years after Princess Margaret, King George VI and his daughter, the future monarch, were guests in 1936.
The hotel said they were ‘unclear about the extent of the damage’ caused by the fire.
Jasper is also famous for its variety of wildlife, being home to animals including elk, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, black bears and grizzly bears.
Speaking at a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta, while pledging her government’s support for the community to rebuild, Smith added: ‘We share the sense of loss with all who live in town’.
Parks Canada officials later said all critical infrastructure was protected including the hospital, schools and the wastewater treatment plant.
They said the most significant structural damage is concentrated on the west side of town. Some bridges around town and throughout the park were damaged.
An aerial photo shows wildfire smoke rising over Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada on July 24, 2024
Smoke rises as wildfires continue growing in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada on July 24, 2024
The popular tourist destination of Jasper, in the Canadian province of Alberta, has been rocked by the inferno
Jasper and the neighboring Jasper National Park had been menaced by fires from both the north and south, which saw residents and visitors flee at short notice on Monday and Tuesday when the fires flared up.
One of the fires raced into the southern edge of the community on Wednesday evening as firefighters tried to limit the damage.
Alberta Public Safety Minister, Mike Ellis, said a wind gust moved the wildfire about five kilometers (about three miles) in probably less than 30 minutes toward the town with a wall of fire that he estimated was 100 meters high.
‘People need to picture what those wildfire folks were experiencing at that time. Any firefighter will tell you there is little to nothing you can do when a wall of fire like that is coming at you,’ Ellis said. ‘Nobody anticipated the fire to come so fast, so large.’
Pierre Martel, director of fire management at Parks Canada, said lightning, winds and drought made the fire grow rapidly on Monday and that flames were above the treetops when it entered the town Wednesday.
‘It’s just a monster at that point. There are no tools we have in our tool box to deal with that at that point. You get out of the way, you retreat,’ he said.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Parks Canada said there had been ‘no reported injuries’.
It added: ‘Approximately 25,000 people were safely evacuated from the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park. All residents, visitors and responders are safe.’
Annelies Lagger, who has owned and lived in the Austrian Haven B&B for 30 years, said she is still waiting to hear if her home and business has been destroyed after fleeing with her pets – 13 cats and dog.
The blaze was also confirmed to have spread to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 100-year-old retreat beloved by the royal family
The late Queen and Prince Philip stayed in the hotel in 2005, nearly 70 years after Princess Margaret, King George VI and his daughter, the future monarch, were guests in 1936.
Ms Lagger said: ‘I have no clue where I go now. Heaven or hell. It was my life. You can imagine how much work it was,’ she said. ‘I’m think I’m in shock.’
She said relatives including her daughter and son-in-law had their homes destroyed.
‘It was the heat that dried everything out. And now the town is gone,’ she added.
Lagger was sheltering with a stranger in Valemount, British Columbia, but said that she will eventually be required to find new homes for her family members and ‘for my critters.’
‘I’m a very tough women. Whatever happens I start again even though I’m 82 years old,’ she continued.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his administration has approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance, including military resources.
Considered a national treasure, Jasper National Park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984 for its striking mountain landscape – which forms part of the Canadian Rockies.
The wildfire came in the wake of Alberta being the site of scorching temperatures that have already forced another 7,500 people out of remote communities.
Considered a national treasure, Jasper National Park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984
Jasper is also famous for its variety of wildlife, being home to animals including elk, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, black bears and grizzly bears
About 176 wildfires were burning across the province, including 54 that are burning out of control.
Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said that many of the fires are caused by lightning, while Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Christie Tucker said firefighters expect high winds to raise the level of danger.
Tucker said hundreds firefighters from Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa are arriving to help fight the wildfires throughout the province.
A record number of wildfires in 2023 forced more than 235,000 people across Canada to evacuate and sent thick smoke into parts of the U.S., leading to hazy skies and health advisories in multiple U.S. cities.