Residents and visitors in Jasper are facing a mandatory evacuation as a wildfire approaches from the south.
The evacuation order, issued late Monday night (July 22), affects everyone within the townsite and the surrounding national park.
According to an updated alert at 10:18 p.m., the fire is rapidly advancing toward the community.
"Everyone in Jasper must evacuate now," declared the official notice.
In response to the escalating emergency, those in the area have been instructed to evacuate westward on Highway 16 toward British Columbia. For individuals requiring transportation assistance, designated evacuation points have been established at the Jasper Activity Centre, Forest Park Hotel, and Maligne Lodge.
The Municipality of Jasper declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfire threat.
RCMP officials have announced the closure of westbound travel on Highway 16 at the Jasper Park gates on the east side, with a strong advisory against travel west of Hinton.
Numerous roads in the Jasper area have been shut down, as outlined by Parks Canada:
- Highway 16 is closed at Highway 5
- No traffic is permitted east. Traffic is permitted west
- Highway 16 is closed at Highway 40
- Highway 93 is closed at Saskatchewan Crossing to all traffic
- Traffic south of Saskatchewan Crossing travel south
- Traffic north of Saskatchewan Crossing travel north
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.