<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/23/canada-wildfire-jasper-national-park-evacuated>
"Out-of-control wildfires near the Canadian town of Jasper have forced more
than 25,000 to flee one of the country’s largest national parks as multiple
blazes and thick smoke descended on the Rocky Mountain community.
Officials in the province of Alberta ordered residents of the Jasper townsite
to leave immediately on Monday night, and soon after they called for the park,
more than 4,200 sq miles (10,900 sq km) in size, to be fully cleared out. The
town is home to 5,000 full-time residents, alongside 5,000 seasonal workers.
The park also had roughly 15,000 visitors at the time.
“We will provide information on backcountry areas when it is available, and
will work to ensure that those in the backcountry can leave, or are evacuated,
safely,” the park said shortly before 3am. “If you have a way of contacting
those in the backcountry, they should remain in place, at a designated campsite
if possible.”
The fire, deemed out of control, is roughly seven miles south of the town
according to Alberta Wildfire.
The orders came around 10pm and took many by surprise. On social media,
visitors recounted a slow-motion escape from the mountains, hampered by
congested highways, confusion and miscommunication.
“Crawling out of town. It’s been smoky all day ash started appearing 9p. In
[retrospect], should have left then,” posted American videographer Jack
Kearney. “ In a lodge full of tourists we didn’t get a heads up from staff.
Most of us weren’t sure what to do. Language barriers, unfamiliar with
protocols. Staff MIA.”
In addition to clearing out the community and emptying the park, officials also
worked to ensure vehicles had enough fuel to safely leave the area.
Heavy smoke and fire cut off key escape routes, forcing evacuees towards
neighbouring British Columbia."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
