JASPER — Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has safely evacuated all staff and guests amid two wind-whipped wildfires that hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.

Following a state of emergency declared by the Municipality of Jasper at approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 22, residents and visitors were ordered to evacuate the area. 

On the social media platform X, the account for Fairmont’s Jasper Park Lodge says the flames have reached the hotel’s grounds, but the extent of damage, if any, is not yet known.

“At this time, we know that parts of the resort remain untouched. We are monitoring the situation remotely and will provide more information as it becomes available,” said the Lodge in an official statement. 

“We are devasted by the situation that our Jasper and Alberta community members are facing. We are extremely thankful that all our colleagues and guests have been safely evacuated. We hope the same for all others in the area. The dedication of our first responders and those coming to our aid cannot fully be expressed,” read the statement. 

Fairmont’s Jasper Park Lodge is currently in the process of cancelling Resort, Golf, Spa and Dining reservations for the coming days. Impacted guests will receive a cancellation notice. For more information, contact the Global Reservations team at 1-800-257-7544 or Fairmont Banff Springs’ 24-hour Royal Service line at 1-403-762-2211 (dial ‘0’ for assistance).

“SIGNIFICANT LOSSES”

Parks Canada says the fire has caused significant losses within the town. As the fire consumed more fuel, officials said the air quality dropped to dangerous levels, prompting fire crews without breathing apparatus to flee to the nearby community of Hinton. 

“Structural firefighters remain in town and are working to save as many structures as possible,” Parks Canada said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance. Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen has asked for help from the Canadian military. 

Earlier in the day, all first responders were ordered out of Jasper National Park for their safety and to give fire crews more room to operate. 

The fires are burning on the north and south sides of the town, which is home to 5,000 people. The residents have left, along with 20,000 park visitors.

The order to leave was issued around 10 p.m. Monday as fires cut off road access to Jasper. Residents and visitors fled west into British Columbia in a long, slow midnight procession through swirling smoke and ash. 

The following day, evacuees in B.C. who didn’t have a place to stay were directed to make the long drive around the fires back to Alberta to evacuation centres in Grande Prairie and Calgary.

The northern fire was spotted five kilometres from Jasper earlier Wednesday. The southern fire was farther away, but Parks Canada says strong winds sent it racing toward the town. That forced crews using heavy equipment to pull back for safety. Water bombers were grounded due to dangerous flying conditions. 

With file from The Canadian Press