By Abigail Popple
Update: July 23, 2:52 a.m.
Alberta Emergency Alert has downgraded the Jasper fire alert from “critical,” or potentially life-threatening, to an “advisory.” The evacuation order is still in effect.
Evacuees can stop and rest in Valemount at 101 Gorse Street, or in McBride at 441 Columbia Street. They may also stop and shelter in their vehicles in Prince George at CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Boulevard South, according to the City of Prince George.
Valemount has limited evacuation supports, according to Alberta Emergency Alert.
Reception centres are opening in Calgary and Grande Prairie – evacuees should continue on Highway 16 and select a route back into Alberta, says Emergency Info BC.
Those traveling towards Grande Prairie should take highway 16 west to Prince George, then proceed north to Dawson Creek via highway 97, and east to Grande Prairie.
The Grande Prairie Reception Centre will open at 9:00 a.m. on July 23rd. It is located at Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Avenue.
Those traveling to Calgary should take highway 5 south to Kamloops, then proceed East on Highway 1 to Calgary. Information on the Calgary reception centre will be published once it becomes available.
Update: July 23, 1:29 a.m.
The assembly points at Maligne Lodge and Forest Park Hotel are closed, according to the Municipality of Jasper, but people can go to the Activity Centre at 303 Bonhomme Street if they need assistance.
Valemount has opened a reception centre at 101 Gorse Street. The Municipality of Jasper website and Facebook page have details on reception centres in Calgary and Grande Prairie.
The evacuation is progressing well, according to Alberta Emergency Alert.
The majority of traffic is still being directed west on Highway 16, though small groups of escorted vehicles are being directed east on the highway when roadside fire conditions permit.
The Municipality of Jasper issued an evacuation order for the Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park at 9:59 p.m. MT (8:59 p.m. PST) and a road closure is now in place. The fire is not expected to reach the community within the next five hours, during which time everyone in Jasper must evacuate via Highway 16 towards B.C.
As of 9:00 p.m. PST, Highway 16 is closed between Tete Jaune and the B.C.-Alberta border, according to Drive BC.
A portion of Highway 16 near the Athabasca River and Jasper Transfer Station has been closed due to wildfires, according to Drive BC and 511 Alberta. Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway) is also closed due to wildfire between Kerkeslin Campground and Athabasca Falls and there is no ETA for re-opening. Authorities are directing local Jasper traffic to head west.
The order includes the following list of actions to take:
- Everyone in Jasper must evacuate now
- Use Highway 16 towards British Columbia
- Follow directions from local authorities
- Bring identification, important documents, medication, pets and your emergency kit with you
- We will publish more information about assembly points soon
- Check the Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park’s Facebook page and website for more information.
