Wildfires in Canada’s Jasper National Park prompt evacuation of 25,000 people

Over 25,000 people have been forced to evacuate amid wildfires in Canada’s Jasper National Park in Canada, officials said on Tuesday. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the park said the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park in Alberta have closed and are being evacuated due to active wildfires. The evacuation impacts 15,000 people who were visiting and staying in the park when the order was issued, as well as about 10,000 people in the town of Jasper. The Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park said in an updated emergency alert Tuesday morning the evacuation from the townsite and the park is “progressing well” and people should continue to follow directives as the majority of traffic is being directed west on Highway 16. The wildfires causing evacuations are spread out throughout the eastern half of the province, including in the Cariboo, Kamloops, Southeast and Prince George fire centres. Several of them have caused partial highway closures. Situated in the province of Alberta and about 370 km west of the provincial capital city of Edmonton, Jasper National Park is popular among tourists and known for its campgrounds and extensive trail networks. In recent weeks, Alberta has been baking under scorching temperatures, forcing another 7,500 people out in a string of remote communities.