Jasper National Park, including the town of Jasper, is being evacuated due to wildfires. The town has declared a state of emergency and nearly 5,000 residents are trying to leave.
“Parks Canada is responding to multiple wildfire starts,” the agency said. “This is an evolving and dynamic situation.” Of the three roads in and out of town, only one remains open: a route west into B.C. The highways east to Edmonton and the Icefields Parkway to the south are closed. Parks Canada has released a statement saying, “Everyone in Jasper must evacuate now. Take Highway 16 towards British Columbia.”
Jasper National Park has over 200 km of mountain biking trails, seasonal motorist-free cycling, and numerous road biking options. The extensive trail system is popular for riders as they can enjoy the Canadian Rockies, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. More adventurous cyclists go with backcountry options for overnight wilderness trips. The park also features numerous scenic paved roads for smooth tarmac riding.
According to the Alberta Wildfire status dashboard, there are around 170 wildfires currently burning across the province. 10,000 people were forced to evacuate the mountain town of Jasper, and an estimated 15,000 visitors in the national park were ordered to leave late Monday night as a wildfire advanced toward the community, government officials told the CBC.
“It’s wall-to-wall traffic,” Carolyn Campbell, an Edmonton resident, told AP. “The smoke is pretty thick. We’ve got masks in the car.” She went on to explain that it took hours to cover just seven kilometres. She expressed concern for those who fled with only a small amount of fuel in their tanks.
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