The Jasper wildfire complex is estimated to have a perimeter of 36,000 hectares.
The tourist town of Jasper in western Canada has been “ravaged” by wildfires, officials say, as massive blazes rage out of control.
The Jasper wildfire complex was estimated to have burned 36,000 hectares (about 89,000 acres) as of Thursday night, according to Jasper National Park.
The park said mapping the complex was difficult due to factors including strong winds, smoke and “extreme fire behavior.”
The complex includes wildfires that broke out Monday in Jasper National Park and have since coalesced, as well as the Utopia Fire, which started July 19 near Myette Hot Springs.
“Crews will use this time to make as much progress as possible to suppress the wildfires and limit their spread,” Jasper National Park Service said in an update Thursday evening, though it noted that warm weather in the forecast would increase wildfire activity.
The city of Jasper and Jasper National Park in Alberta were closed and evacuated earlier this week due to wildfires in the park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.
The park said the fire reached the town of Jasper on Wednesday evening, causing “significant damage.”
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said the city has been “devastated” by the wildfires. According to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, there is likely to be between 30% and 50% structural damage in Jasper, with assessments still ongoing.
No injuries have been reported from the wildfires, Jasper National Park Service said in an update Thursday morning.
More than 25,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes in the park and Jasper due to the wildfires, officials said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to respond to the wildfires. He said later in the day that the government was deploying more resources to “enhance” the response to the wildfires in Jasper and across Alberta.
“Our governments are working together to keep Albertans safe and support them during this crisis,” he said on social media Thursday evening.
Alberta is experiencing “severe wildfire conditions,” with more than 170 fires burning across the province, according to the Alberta government.
