Current:Home > Contact'Nightmare': Wildfires burn one of most beautiful places in the world -VitalEdge Finance Pro
'Nightmare': Wildfires burn one of most beautiful places in the world
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:18:23
A welcome rain was falling Friday over parts of western Canada, where wildfires have been devastating some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country – and the world.
Two fires moving at speeds of more than 60 miles-an-hour converged in the Canadian Rockies on Wednesday, burning through the town of Jasper — along the Athabasca River in Alberta, Canada — destroying nearly a third of its structures.
More than 25,000 residents and visitors were evacuated this week from the tourist town and surrounding Jasper National Park, officials said.
US wildfires:Park Fire swells to over 164,000 acres; thousands of residents under evacuation orders
Rain and cooler temperatures helped to subdue the fire somewhat on Thursday, officials said, but the fire is still burning. Firefighters continued to fight fires in the town, moving from one building to another on Thursday, according to an update from Parks Canada.
“There’s no denying this is the worst nightmare for any community,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
“For many generations, the town of Jasper and the park surrounding it have been a source of pride with some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire, in the world,” said Smith, as she was overcome by emotion.
How much of Jasper was damaged in the fires?
Of 1,113 structures in the town of Jasper, 358 of them were destroyed in this week's fire, according to a Friday update from the incident command team overseeing the firefighting effort, which includes Parks Canada.
The fire is estimated at roughly 88,000 acres in size, although areas within that perimeter may be only partially burned or not burned at all.
Firefighters said they were able to protect the town’s critical facilities, including the hospital, emergency services buildings, both the elementary and junior/senior schools, an activity center and the wastewater treatment plant.
The fire damaged a number of bridges throughout the national park, including the Moberly Bridge and the Old Fort Point Bridge, the park said. Bridges on the region’s famed Icefields Parkway will be assessed for structural damage, and parks officials said that would slow down access to the picturesque Maligne Lake southeast of town.
The most significant structural damage occurred on the town’s southwest side, officials said Thursday.
Crews continue to fight the fire "and we remain focused on making it safe for the people of Jasper to come home," the Friday morning update stated. The area remains closed for public safety and the evacuation order remains in effect.
Jasper’s residents and visitors scoured social media posts for news this week trying to get word about their community.
Bishop Stephen London with the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton confirmed in a Facebook post that the St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church in Jasper was destroyed by the flames.
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland called the fire an “unprecedented challenge.”
The blaze ravaged Jasper, Ireland said in an update. “The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension.”
What is Jasper, Canada known for?
"Known for its vast wilderness, majestic peaks, abundant wildlife and outstanding natural beauty, visitors from all over Canada and round the world travel here to experience this very special place," Parks Canada's website says.
Jasper is a tourist destination for those who visit the Rockies and Jasper National Park. The park is a World Heritage Site with more than 2 million visitors a year passing through the gates, according to the town’s website. Tourists travel the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff National Parks and visit Athabasca Falls and Athabasca Glacier.
One of Canada's national treasures, the park boasts over 2.7 million acres and is the largest in the Canadian Rockies. It was established as Jasper Forest Park reserve in 1907 and became a national park in 1930. About 70 species of mammals live there, according to National Geographic, including grizzly bears, moose and elk. The park serves as a preserve for species of wildlife that have declined in other areas.
What’s the Athabasca Glacier?
The Columbia Icefield is the largest remnant of a thick ice mass that once covered much of the area in the Canadian Rockies. The Athabasca Glacier flows from the icefield and down into the valley, where tourists can walk up to the toe of the glacier, following a series of markers that show how much the warming climate has melted the glacier.
The Athabasca has been averaging a retreat of about 16 feet a year. In 2023, when global average temperatures were their hottest on record, the Athabasca Glacier saw more glacial melt than in any of the previous 10 years, according to Parks Canada.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
veryGood! (842)
Related
- Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028
- Spain’s bumper Christmas lottery “El Gordo” starts dishing out millions of euros in prizes
- Used car dealer sold wheelchair-accessible vans but took his disabled customers for a ride, feds say
- 'In shock': Mississippi hunter bags dwarf deer with record-sized antlers
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Fat Leonard, released during Venezuela prisoner swap, lands in U.S. court to face bribery charges
- Honda recalls 2.5 million vehicles for fuel pump issue: Here's which models are affected
- The Excerpt podcast: The life and legacy of activist Ady Barkan
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Judge suggests change to nitrogen execution to let inmate pray and say final words without gas mask
Ranking
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- Pornhub owner agrees to pay $1.8M and independent monitor to resolve sex trafficking-related charge
- A New Hampshire man pleads guilty to threats and vandalism targeting public radio journalists
- Thomas Morse Jr. is named chief of police for the Baton Rouge Police Department.
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- UN health agency cites tenfold increase in reported cases of dengue over the last generation
- Broadway's 10 best musicals and plays of 2023, including 'Merrily We Roll Along'
- Group pushes for change in how police use body camera footage in officer shooting probes
Recommendation
US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
Reducing Methane From Livestock Is Critical for Stabilizing the Climate, but Congress Continues to Block Farms From Reporting Emissions Anyway
Mother accused of starving 10-year-old son is charged with murder
Atlanta school system will now pay $1,000 bonus to employees after state superintendent’s criticism
US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
Vatican prosecutor appeals verdict that largely dismantled his fraud case but convicted cardinal
Xfinity data breach, Comcast hack affects nearly 36 million customers: What to know
Biden administration unveils hydrogen tax credit plan to jump-start industry