<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/25/jasper-alberta-canada-wildfire>
"A fast-moving wildfire has destroyed parts of Jasper, the old mountain town in
the Canadian Rockies, with the mayor warning the damage was “beyond description
and comprehension”. The blaze had forced more than 25,000 people to flee
earlier this week.
Jasper national park officials said the fire entered the southern edge of the
town on Wednesday evening. But, given the speed and intensity of the blaze,
fire crews working to protect key infrastructure were ordered to retreat.
Video shared to social media on Thursday showed swaths of the town incinerated
by fire. The video, taken by an anonymous official from inside a truck, shows
the smouldering remains of the town.
The truck pauses briefly in front of a destroyed home and a voice can be heard
saying: “That’s Mom and Dad’s house.”
In an emotional update, Alberta’s premier, Danielle Smith, held back tears as
she mourned the destruction of the national park.
“We have all seen on the news and social media that horrific pictures and
videos coming out of Jasper, homes and businesses have been lost to a wildfire
that people are calling a ‘wall’ of flames,” she said. “There is no denying
that this is the worst nightmare for any community.”
Earlier in the day, Jasper’s mayor, Richard Ireland, told residents in a video
message that the scope of damage had left him and others with “profound
sorrow”.
“The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond
description and comprehension; my deepest sympathies go out to each of you,” he
said.
Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that his government had approved Alberta
province’s request for federal assistance, adding that it was deploying
military resources and evacuation support, as well as coordinating firefighting
and airlift assistance.
“Alberta, we’re with you,” Canada’s prime minister posted on X."
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
