Late last night, the wildfire in Japer National Park reached the Town of Jasper with early reports indicating some structure loss. Firefighting efforts are ongoing within the town to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.
Early reports are that up to 30 per cent of the structures in Jasper have been destroyed.
West Side of Jasper Suffers Major Structural Damage, East End Largely Spared
The most significant structural damage from the recent fire is concentrated on the west side of town, southwest of Miette Avenue. However, thanks to the diligent efforts of firefighting crews, much of the infrastructure in the east end of town remains intact.
Key facilities such as the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, the activity centre, and the wastewater treatment plant were successfully protected from significant damage.
Fire Impact
Despite the successful preservation of critical infrastructure in the east, the fire inflicted damage on several bridges around the town and throughout the national park. Additionally, numerous homes and hotels have been affected, highlighting the widespread impact of the blaze.
The rebuilding efforts are going to be a logistical issue as there are many regulations and restrictions in Canada’s National Parks.
Evacuation orders and alerts:
- Evacuation orders remain in place for various communities:
- The Municipal District of Bighorn’s evacuation order for the area east of Highway 40 and west of the Ghost Public Land Access Point remains in effect. A reception centre is available at the Water Valley Community Hall. An evacuation alert is also in effect for the surrounding area.
- An evacuation order for Jasper and Jasper National Park remains in effect. Reception centres in Grande Prairie, Calgary and Edmonton are providing support to evacuees:
- Grande Prairie reception centre: Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Avenue.
- Calgary reception centre: Shouldice Arena, 1515 Home Road NW.
- Edmonton reception centre: Kennedale Site Building #2, 12814 58 Street.
- Evacuation orders for Little Red River Cree Nation (John D’or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River) remain in effect.
- The Municipal District of Opportunity’s evacuation order for Chipewyan Lake is still in place.
- Due to good precipitation in the area, the evacuation order for Janvier 194, which is part of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, has been cancelled and evacuees can now return home. The evacuation alert for the Hamlet of Janvier has also been cancelled.
- The evacuation order for Janvier 194 has lifted, as has the evacuation alert for the Hamlet of Janvier.
- Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
- Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.
- Evacuees can also call the Government of Alberta contact centre at 310-4455 for assistance.
Current situation
- There are 176 wildfires currently burning across Alberta.
- Of these wildfires, 54 are classified as out of control, 49 are being held, 73 are under control.
- Since July 24, there have been 20 new wildfires in the Forest Protection Area.
- The response is focused on the wildfires that pose a direct threat to human life, communities, critical infrastructure, and major industrial facilities.
- The Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park remain under an evacuation order due to out-of-control wildfires burning in Jasper National Park.
- The fire reached the west side of the Jasper townsite Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
- The wildfire is under Parks Canada jurisdiction.
- Alberta’s government is providing personnel, helicopters and airtankers.
- The Kettle River Complex, which includes wildfire LWF136, is located approximately 12 kilometres north of the community of Janvier and three kilometres from Highway 881.
- The evacuation order for Chipewyan Prairie First Nation has been lifted. The evacuation alert for Janvier has been cancelled.
- It is estimated at 765 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.
- Wildfire smoke may be affecting visibility on highway 881. Visit 511 Alberta for details.
- An out-of-control wildfire (CWF507) is burning about 25 kilometres west of Water Valley
- This wildfire, detected on July 22 and currently 110 hectares in size, was caused by lightning.
- The MD of Bighorn issued an evacuation order for the immediate area.
- Semo Complex Fire (HWF061) is classified as out of control at more than 96,000 hectares in size.
- It is approximately 2.2 kilometres from Highway 58, 13 kilometres from Garden River, 19 kilometres from John D’Or Prairie and 15 kilometres from Fox Lake.
- Little Red River Cree Nation remains under a state of local emergency and evacuation orders are in effect for the Garden River, John D’Or and Fox Lake communities.
- Wildfire SWF120 is classified as out of control. It is located about 20 kilometres northwest of Chipewyan Lake and is more than 12,600 hectares in size.
- An evacuation order remains in effect for Chipewyan Lake and surrounding areas.
- Since January 1, there have been 977 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, burning more than 550,000 hectares.
- Alberta currently has nearly 1,900 personnel, 156 helicopters and 21 aircraft responding to wildfires across the province.
- In addition to provincial resources, Alberta has imported firefighters, support staff and equipment from other jurisdictions to support wildfire response and suppression efforts.
- Although lightning has caused more than half of wildfires burning today, the other half are caused by people. Albertans are urged to prevent any additional fire starts that will add to the already extreme wildfire situation.
- Airtankers may use water from nearby lakes to fight wildfires. If you are in the water and see an aircraft coming to collect water, please move to the shore. Failing to do so impedes firefighting efforts. Albertans who do not comply could face a mandatory court appearance.
- Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Fire bans
- A fire ban is in place for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
- For information on activities prohibited under this ban, visit alberta.ca/fire-bans.
- Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands, such as national parks, are exempt from this ban.
- These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.
- Albertans should visit their local municipality’s website or social media to confirm if a fire ban is in effect in their area.
- All Albertans have a role to play in wildfire prevention. Albertans must follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.
- Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.
Air quality
- Wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in parts of Alberta. The combination of heat and very poor air quality in smoke will increase the risk to your health, especially when taking part in strenuous activity. Visit Wildfire Smoke Information for air quality monitoring information to make informed decisions about outdoor activities to protect your health.
- Wildfire smoke can cause a variety of symptoms or health effects that can range in severity. Milder and more common symptoms of smoke exposure include:
- headaches
- a mild cough
- production of mucus
- nose, throat, eye and sinus irritation
- In many cases, these symptoms can be managed without medical intervention.
- Air quality monitoring is managed by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) and local airsheds using continuous air monitoring stations in more than 40 communities across Alberta.
- Real-time data from these continuous stations inform Albertans on current air quality conditions through the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI).
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) collaborates with EPA, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services to issue alerts to inform the public of real-time air quality conditions, as well as health messaging to suggest proactive measures to protect their health.
- Special Air Quality Statements are issued when the AQHI reaches seven, and will show up as grey on the ECCC public weather alerts map,
- An Air Quality Advisory will be issued when the AQHI reaches 10+ due to wildfire smoke and shows up as red on the public weather alerts map, with a red banner on the city’s weather page and WeatherCAN app to alert the public of more severe health effects than when a special air quality statement is issued.
Getting involved in wildfire response
- We’ve heard from Albertans who are eager to support wildfire operations near their communities, and we’re providing opportunities to do so through the Wildfire Reservist Program.
- If you’re interested in lending a hand, learn more at alberta.ca
- Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.
Eligible for Emergency Evacuation Payments
- Residents of the following communities can apply for emergency evacuation payments evacuationpayment.alberta.ca:
- Garden River, which is part of the Little Red River Cree Nation
- Janvier 194, which is part of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
- Chipewyan Lake, part of the Municipal District of Opportunity.
- Staff at any Alberta Supports Centre can provide support to applicants, and Alberta Support Centres in Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche and Edmonton (Northgate) will be open from 8:15 a.m. until 7 p.m. on July 25 and 26 to process applications.
- The Alberta Supports Contact Centre (1-877-644-9992) provides information and can assist callers with online applications. The Alberta Supports Contact Centre will offer extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 27 and 28.
- The registration centre for MD of Opportunity No. 17/Chipewyan Lake is located at Wabasca Lakeview Sports Centre at 102 Opportunity Dr.
- The distribution centres are located at the Wabasca Inn at 1090, Hwy 813 in Wabasca from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the Alberta Supports Centre in Slave Lake at 108, 101 3 Street SW.
- Individuals who are part of a mandatory evacuation order exceeding a minimum of seven days may be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $1,250 for each adult and an additional $500 for each child under the age of 18.
- People who left their home community, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, are not eligible for payment.
Roads and highways
- Alberta’s highway’s that are impacted by the wildfires will open and close frequently as the safety situation varies in the weather conditions. Please be patient and respect the staff at the closure/detour sites – they are there with your safety in mind.
- 511 Alberta remains the best source of information as conditions change on our highways. Visit 511.alberta.ca.
Jasper Area – Highway 16 and Highway 93 closures:
- Highway 93 North is closed to all traffic at the Saskatchewan Crossing (Highway 11) to Jasper townsite (Highway 16).
- Highway 16 from the B.C. border is closed to incoming traffic in Jasper National Park due to wildfire operations. No estimated time of reopening is available at this time. Traffic is permitted to leave Jasper westbound.
- There are two checkpoints:
- Highway 16 / Highway 40 west of Hinton (motorists are permitted to leave eastbound but are prevented from entering westbound)
- At the B.C. border checkpoint, motorists are permitted to leave westbound but are prevented from entering eastbound.
- Highway 93A is closed from Marmot Road to the junction of Highway 93.
- Highway 40 south from Highway 16 to Highway 4 are closed in both lanes. Exceptions will be made for residents of area and valid permit holders.
Highway 58 closure:
- Highway 58 remains closed at Range Road 112, approximately 15 kilometres east of Boyer.
- RCMP are restricting access to the area, with the exception of water trucks and emergency personnel. Westbound Highway 58 remains open for evacuees leaving the area. It is strongly recommended for motorists to reduce their speed to 60 km/h.
- Water trucks and graders continue to reduce dust to improve visibility.
- Calcium chloride is added to the surface as supplies become available in conjunction with the efforts of the water trucks during the day for dust suppression.
Highway 579 and 40/734 (Forestry Trunk Road):
- The Municipal District of Bighorn has two closures due to wildfires: Highway 579, from Junction of Highway 40 to Township Road 294B and Forestry Trunk Road from Red Deer River to Junction of Highway 579.
Emergency Preparedness
- Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now. To be prepared, Albertans need to know what to do, where to go and have enough supplies for a week or more. Supplies include food, water, medications and important documents. Include supplies for pets as well.
- Read more about emergency preparedness.
Justice
- Please continue to monitor the Alberta Court of Justice website if you have upcoming matters that were scheduled at the Jasper Courthouse: https://albertacourts.ca/cj
Health
- The healthcare situation has been evolving since Monday evening when 23 patients were safely evacuated from the Seton Jasper Healthcare Centre, including both acute care patients and designated supported living residents. EMS flew two patients to Prince George; the remaining 21 were evacuated to Hinton and Edson. Three additional patients were discharged to family.
- A seniors’ lodge was evacuated separately. AHS has contacted families of those impacted and continues to provide information and supports as needed.
- AHS kept a small frontline healthcare team at the hospital to support people still in the community, as well as emergency responders, until the hospital was closed and remaining staff were evacuated as of 10:30 p.m. on July 23.
- AHS EMS is now staging a crew at the Jasper National Park gates on a rotating basis, for as long as resources allow.
- We cannot confirm the status of the hospital at this time.
- Health contingency planning has been underway for several days. Once the situation is better understood within the town, including the state of the hospital and DSL facility, AHS will develop specific plans. AHS has mobile capacity that can be deployed very quickly, depending on the conditions in the area and the state of the hospital. Additional supports will be added at Hinton as necessary.
- More broadly, AHS is supporting evacuees at various locations, including reception centres. A need for mental health supports has been identified and is being addressed among individuals at reception centers.
- For information on wildfire resources, including mental health, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page14070.aspx
Offers of Support
- Any companies, individuals or organizations that would like to offer support to those impacted by the wildfires can email their offers to EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.
- Albertans can also donate to Alberta Red Cross in support of wildfire evacuees.
