Jasper wildfire: Mayor expresses ‘pain and heartache’ as flames enter townsite
The mayor of the Municipality of Jasper extended “heartfelt sympathy and solidarity” to residents late Wednesday after a wildfire entered the townsite after it prompted the evacuation of 25,000 people in Jasper National Park.
“The news this evening that the fire has entered our town has rocked us all,” Richard Ireland wrote in a Facebook post shortly before midnight local time Wednesday.
Earlier in the evening, Parks Canada confirmed multiple buildings in the mountainous tourist community in western Alberta were impacted.
“There has been structural loss at this point. I can’t confirm how many locations or specific structures,” said James Eastham, a wildfire information officer with Parks Canada.
“The fire continues to burn. It is a very dynamic situation.”
“The pain and heartache that you feel is shared by each one of us,” Ireland wrote. “Please know that my thoughts are with all of you during this incredibly difficult time.
“To all the responders on the ground in our town — our home — words cannot express the admiration and gratitude we have for your professionalism, your dedication and your unyielding efforts.”
The Alberta government confirmed Wednesday night that it has asked the federal government for assistance from the Canadian military to deal with the provincial wildfire situation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed in a statement his government is sending help.
“We’ve approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance,” he said. “We’re deploying Canadian Forces resources, evacuations support, and more emergency wildfire resources to the province immediately — and we’re coordinating firefighting and airlift assistance.
“Alberta, we’re with you.”
In a video posted to social media Wednesday night, Premier
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