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Picture courtesy Jasper National Park
Wildfires

Highway travel in Jasper National Park impacted due to wildfires

Jul 23, 2024 | 8:08 AM

A nearby wildfire has prompted an evacuation order for nearly 4,700 residents, as well as tourists, in the Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park overnight Monday.

RCMP in Alberta note Highway 93 connecting Jasper to the Saskatchewan Crossing is closed due to a wildfire threatening the area.

Highway 16 near the Jasper Park Gates was closed for westbound travel on Monday night, but has since re-opened to allow evacuees to exit the area. RCMP advise travel through Hinton is not recommended due to another wildfire.

Evacuees are being told to go to either Grande Prairie or Calgary for designated reception centres in their home province. There is also a reception centre in Valemount, B.C., but was not able to take any more evacuees as of 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The wildfire has forced the evacuation of not only the town, but the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre.

Alberta Health Services says EMS safely evacuated 23 acute care patients and designated supportive living residents, with three discharged to family.

Patients and residents were transported to health care facilities in Edson and Hinton, with two patients flown to Prince George.

AHS has contacted families of those impacted and will continue to provide information as needed.

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