People in Jasper have been told to evacuate the town Monday night as a wildfire threatens the municipality Monday evening.
The evacuation order was broadcast on the Alberta Emergency Alert System at around 10 p.m.
“Everyone in Jasper must evacuate now. Use Highway 16 towards British Columbia. Follow directions from local authorities. Bring identification, important documents, medication, pets and your emergency kit with you,” the alert said.
Parks Canada is responding to multiple wildfire starts. Jasper National Park says “this is an evolving situation.”
The situation escalated swiftly.
At 7:25 p.m. Parks Canada said its fire crews and the Jasper Fire Department were responding to a wildfire around the transfer station, located approximately nine kilometres northeast of the Jasper townsite.
“Fire specialists are on site assessing the situation,” the federal agency posted on social media.
Parks Canada fire crews were responding to multiple new wildfire starts in Jasper National Park, Parks Canada posted on social media at 8: 03 p.m.
At 8: 28 p.m. an alert was issued through the Alberta Emergency Alert System advising that Jasper and Jasper National Park were under an evacuation alert.
“This is a preventative measure due to the number of fires. There is no immediate threat to the town of Jasper,” the post said.
“There is no immediate threat to the Town of Jasper but there are multiple wildfires burning in Jasper National Park,” Jasper officials posted on social media around 8:35 p.m.