As of July 23, 2024, over 25,000 residents, seasonal workers and tourists have been forced to evacuate Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada due to out-of-control wildfires.
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On Monday night, officials in Alberta ordered an immediate evacuation of Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper.
The town of Jasper with a population of 5,000 full-time residents and 5,000 seasonal workers along with approximately 15,000 visitors faced evacuation order. Many were caught off guard by the speed of the fires.
The evacuation process was by confusion with evacuees navigating congested highways and dealing with limited fuel availability.
The smoke was thick creating dangerous conditions for those on the road and many evacuees reported the experience as they tried to leave the park.
Park officials addressed that those in backcountry areas should remain in designated campsites until further notice and wait for rescue or clearance to evacuate.
The wildfires near Jasper National Park are considered out of control with the flames reaching approximately seven miles south of the town.
Officials reported multiple wildfires burning within the park, each posing threats to infrastructure and natural resources. The fires was by a heatwave.
Fire crews are encountering challenges due to dry conditions and high temperatures. While wildfires in remote areas of the boreal forest might typically be allowed to burn unhindered.
The town of Jasper has been directly impacted with residents experiencing smoke and fire threats. Officials have worked to ensure all residents and tourists are evacuated safely.
The town of Valemount located west of Jasper has become a temporary refuge for many evacuees. The small community of 1,000 residents quickly became overwhelmed with parking lots, roadsides and fields filling with vehicles.
There are currently 69 major wildfires burning in the western US, with 24 in Oregon and 12 in California. In Canada, the situation is similarly dire with over 160 active fires in Alberta alone.
These fires have been ignited by a combination of lightning strikes and human activities. In California, for example, the Hawarden Fire in Riverside County was by illegal fireworks.
In Oregon, the Durkee Fire in Baker and Malheur counties has burned nearly 240,000 acres since July 17, 2024.
In California, the Gold Complex fires in the Plumas National Forest are creating hazardous conditions with pyrocumulus clouds.
Tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes. In Alberta, Canada, over 25,000 people including residents of Jasper and visitors to Jasper National Park have been evacuated.
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In Oregon, the Durkee Fire has led to the closure of Interstate 84, affecting both eastbound and westbound traffic. In Canada, Highway 16 experienced traffic congestion as evacuees fled the advancing fires.
The Hawarden Fire in California alone has caused over $10 million in damage, destroying at least six homes.
The National Weather Service has warned of hazardous heat across much of interior California, the Great Basin and the northern Rockies and Plains. This heat is expected to persist until a Pacific cold front brings some relief.
Pyrocumulus clouds often referred to as “fire clouds,” form above intense wildfires due to the rising heat.
These clouds can create their own weather systems including thunderstorms and strong winds.
The formation of pyrocumulus clouds can lead to erratic fire behavior, making it challenging for firefighters to predict fire spread and deploy resources effectively.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist with firefighting costs in Oregon.
Firefighters across both countries are working to contain the fires. In the US, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is coordinating efforts to allocate resources where they are most needed.
The heavy smoke from the fires has resulted in poor air quality. Masks and other measures are being advised for those exposed to the smoke.
Alberta currently has 170 active fires, while British Columbia is dealing with 316. The sheer number of fires and their spread have stretched firefighting resources thin.
Last year’s wildfire season was record-breaking with over 6,600 fires burning 15 million hectares (37 million acres) across Canada.
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