Despite complicated logistics of evacuating seniors, backcountry hikers and thousands of campers, process was “safe and orderly,” according to Mayor

Thousands of visitors and residents were evacuated from Jasper National Park and the townsite late Monday night (July 22) after a dynamic wildfire situation forced officials to declare a state of emergency.

Two wildfires—one south of Jasper, and one nine kilometres east of the townsite, near the Jasper Transfer Station—are being assessed, according to wildfire officials.  

South fire

A large wildfire extends from near Kerkeslin Campground, approximately 30 kms south of the Jasper townsite. It follows the Icefields Parkway (93N) north to near Horseshoe Lake. The wildfire crosses 93N, a few kilometres south of Wabasso campground. The northeast extent of the fire is near Wabasso Lake. The minimum area burned is estimated at 6750 hectares according to Parks Canada. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) Map shows satellite imagery of the fire.

Transfer Station Fire

A fire that started near the Jasper Transfer Station was approximately 122 ha on Tuesday afternoon, according to CWFIS. That fire has potentially burned down the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre, but on July 23 Parks Canada has said at its last assessment the Palisades was in tact. 

A Parks Canada-led press conference did not provide any more specific information about the wildfires, other than to say there are multiple wildfires burning and that the situation is dynamic and evolving.

“Parks Canada aircraft were out assessing wildfires at first light today to get eyes on wildfire activity, identifying impact on infrastructure and prioritizing wildfire operations for the day,” said Incident Commander Katie Ellsworth.

Fire teams from across the region are installing structural protection on critical infrastructure and more resources—including aircraft and another incident response team—are being mobilized, Ellsworth said.

Backcountry hikers

Some Jasper National Park campers and hikers were still in the backcountry on Tuesday. Ellis said Parks Canada was evacuating park users with the help of helicopters. She said if members of the public can contact people they know who are in the Jasper backcountry, they should alert the parties and instruct them to get to the nearest trail head and contact Jasper Dispatch, 780-852-6155.

Wildfire Timeline

The wildfires south of the Jasper townsite and at the Transfer Station were first reported by Parks Canada on Monday afternoon (July 22).   

At 9 p.m., through the Alberta Emergency Alert system, the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada issued an evacuation alert, putting residents and visitors on notice that an evacuation order could be imminent. By 9:40 p.m., officials declared a state of emergency and by 10 p.m., the order to evacuate was issued.

More than 10,000 visitors and residents—many of whom would have been bedding down for the night—were evacuated. Visitors camping at Wapiti and Whistlers Campground, the latter of which has more than 780 campsites, slowly emptied onto the west highway. A kilometres-long line of tail lights, made hazy by smoke and falling embers, stretched into neighbouring Mount Robson Provincial Park. In every pull out, rest stop and highway facility, RVs, cars, trucks and trailers were parked haphazardly, the occupants trying to find a place to rest for a few hours.

Meanwhile, across the townsite, Jasperites scrambled to load their vehicles and make their way to Highway 16 west, the only exit point from the townsite—until a safe passage east was cleared and small convoys of vehicles could be ushered through towards Hinton. 

Evacuees were stuck in their cul-de-sacs and neighbourhoods at a standstill for hours; some residents biked to local gas stations with jerry cans.

Evacuated residents from the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge and Pine Grove Manor were able to make their way to Hinton and Edson, according to the Evergreens Foundation.

A team with Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge went east from Jasper with the acute care patients from the hospital and Designated Assisted Living residents.

The last group of seniors arrived at the Edson hospital at 5 a.m. Independent residents who didn’t leave with family members were evacuated to Valemount.

During the evacuation, some residents were on edge when an emergency alert declared incorrectly that the Athabasca Falls fire would reach the townsite in five hours. That message was clarified in another emergency alert to let residents know that the townsite should be evacuated in five hours. 

Mayor Richard Ireland expressed his profound appreciation for residents who evacuated to allow fire officials to do their work.

“I recognize and acknowledge it is not just the stress of the evacuation itself, but the timing of that,” he said. “The amount of concern that would raise for so many people….I credit all of them for the patience they showed and the support they offered to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation.”

Evacuees should visit the Municipality of Jasper’s social media channels for up-to-date information.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com