• Wildfires may have destroyed half of historic Canadian town
• The fires are still out of control as firefighters work to save the remaining buildings
• Around 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents have evacuated the area in Alberta province
• Firefighters from around the world are assisting, but the full extent of the damage is still unfolding
• Fires were sparked by a lightning storm and intensified by strong winds

Wildfires may have destroyed half of historic Canadian town

Wildfires have ravaged up to half of the historic Canadian town of Jasper, with the fires still out of control as firefighters work to save the remaining buildings. Entire streets in Jasper National Park have been reduced to smouldering rubble, though no deaths have been reported. Around 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents have evacuated the area in Alberta province.

During a news conference, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tearfully reported that “potentially 30 to 50 per cent” of buildings had been destroyed, calling it “the worst nightmare for any community.” She spoke about the park’s significance, noting it attracts about 2.5 million visitors annually.

There are no words. Jasper is burned to the ground. 💔 pic.twitter.com/lV8koLhzUR

— Ryan Jespersen (@ryanjespersen) July 25, 2024

Firefighters from around the world are assisting, but the full extent of the damage is still unfolding. Efforts are focused on containing the flames, which engulfed the town from two sides after being sparked by a lightning storm and intensified by strong winds.

This disaster follows last year’s record-breaking fire season in Alberta, where 2.2 million hectares burned. Currently, over 45 active blazes are also burning in British Columbia, and fires are ongoing in several US states including California, Oregon, and Washington. Although the global number of fires has decreased over the past two decades, researchers warn that climate change could lead to more lightning-induced wildfires in northern regions.