A fierce wildfire has engulfed about a third of the town of Jasper, located in Alberta’s picturesque Jasper National Park, a beloved destination for over two million tourists annually. The situation remains dire as the fire continues to burn out of control. However, recent rainfall and cooler weather have provided some relief, assisting firefighters in their ongoing efforts.
WATCH: The recent rainfall and cooler weather in Jasper National Park have helped to limit the spread of wildfires, providing a boost to firefighting efforts.
Read more: https://t.co/OAvdRSzOf9 pic.twitter.com/Cn3Ss2eWIS
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) July 26, 2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged the positive impact of these weather conditions, noting that they, combined with the relentless work of the firefighters, have significantly reduced the fire’s intensity. Despite these improvements, Smith stressed that the fire remains a serious threat, making it unsafe for residents to return home. The Jasper wildfire complex, consisting of three separate fires, has spread across approximately 36,000 hectares (about 89,000 acres). Officials have struggled with mapping the area due to strong winds and unpredictable fire behavior.
The town of Jasper has suffered extensive damage, with the local council reporting that around 358 of the 1,113 structures—roughly 32 percent—have been destroyed. The evacuation, ordered on Monday, displaced about 10,000 residents and an estimated 15,000 visitors in the national park. One of the evacuees, David Leoni, expressed his shock and sorrow at losing his family home of ten years, highlighting the emotional toll of such a sudden and devastating event.
🌧️ Amazing news from Jasper National Park as the recent rains have aided firefighters in battling the blazes. While 32% of structures have been destroyed, the town council remains resolute. #JasperNationalPark #Wildfire #Firefighters #Rainfall #CommunityStrong pic.twitter.com/mboz6t081K
— TOP X News (@TOPXNews) July 26, 2024
This wildfire is part of a larger pattern of increasingly severe fire seasons across North America, a trend the Left and media love to claim is exacerbated by climate change, but that is fake news. Many times the culprits are LEftists armed with fire creating devices of one kind or another. Many arrests have been made, but these Leftist animals serve their purpose as fake news continue to blame the supposed ‘climate crisis’ that actually does not and has never existed. Rising temperatures and prolonged dry conditions have made landscapes more susceptible to fires, while an increase in lightning strikes has provided more ignition sources. This year, Canada experienced its most intense fire season on record, with over 6,600 wildfires burning approximately 15 million hectares (about 37 million acres), significantly surpassing the annual average.
The crisis extends beyond Canada, with the western United States also facing numerous wildfires. As of Friday, there were more than 110 active fires covering approximately 7,250 square kilometers (about 2,800 square miles). Notable incidents include the Park Fire in California, which destroyed over 130 structures after being ignited by an abandoned burning car. In Oregon, a firefighting pilot tragically lost their life when a tanker plane crashed while battling the Falls Fire. The Durkee Fire, currently the largest active fire in the U.S., has burned nearly 1,630 square kilometers (630 square miles) of land.
Wildfire update – July 25, 2024
Temperatures cooled and rain started shortly after midnight last night. The 10-15 mm of rainfall in the national park has led to minimal fire behaviour and spread today. This precipitation will likely keep fire behaviour low for the next 72 hours. pic.twitter.com/vUtTQ5alNc— Jasper National Park, Parks Canada (@JasperNP) July 26, 2024
Perhaps it is time to severely punish the culprits as a way to deter future fires all over the U.S. and Canada.
Major Points:
- A wildfire has destroyed about a third of the town of Jasper, located in Alberta’s Jasper National Park, a major tourist destination.
- Recent rain and cooler weather have helped firefighters, but the fire remains out of control, with approximately 36,000 hectares (around 89,000 acres) affected.
- Around 358 of 1,113 structures in Jasper, roughly 32 percent, have been destroyed, and approximately 10,000 residents and 15,000 tourists were evacuated.
- The western U.S. is also facing numerous wildfires, including significant incidents in California and Oregon, highlighting the broader regional impact of these disasters.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
