Devastating wildfires have destroyed as much as half of an historic Canadian town beloved by tourists, as firefighters attempt to save as many buildings as they can.
Fast-moving fires have reportedly devastrated streets in Jasper, Alberta, with photos showing smouldering piles of debris where homes had once stood as emergency services tackled the flames.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gave a press conference on Thursday explaining the extent of the damage, with “potentially 30 to 50 percent” of buildings destroyed.
“There is no denying that this is the worst nightmare for any community,” said Ms Smith, who became visibly emotional as she described the significance of the park to residents.
Temperatures dropped on Thursday allowing some relief, though authorities warn the fires aren’t yet under control and more warm weather is expected, BBC News reports.
Parks Canada previously said the west side of town, southwest of Miette Avenue had seen the worst of the structural damage.
Thankfully no fatalities have been reported so far, though around 20,000 visitors and 5,000 residents were forced to evacuate the mountainous area in Alberta province which is a popular tourist destination.
Jasper National Park reported late on Thursday local time that around 89,000 acres of land had been affected, but that neighbouring communities were not currently at risk.
Officials said the job of mapping out the the fires was complicated the amount of smoke, the extremity of the fire and strong winds.
Dramatic photos showed plumes of white smoke filling the sky above Alberta as the fire ravaged the area.
According to Canadian outlet CBC News phone, power, and rail services have been impacted.
Firefighters from round the world have been brought in assist, though authorities warn the full extent of the damage isn’t yet clear, saying on Thursday that the focus was on containing the fires that have wrought havoc on the town from both sides.
Neighbouring British Columbia has also been contending with hundreds of wildfires, prompting dozens of evacuation orders, while blazes continue to rage on in western US states including Utah and California, BBC News reports.
In The Golden State over 3,000 people were forced to evacuate over the Park Fire, which authorities said on Thursday it had been caused by a burning car being pushed into a gully as they announced the arrest of a suspect.
Flames from the fire the man is accused of starting exploded into what is now the Park Fire, which has burned more than 195 square miles near the city of Chico.
Evacuations were ordered in Butte and Tehama counties, with the blaze only 3 percent contained by Thursday evening.
California authorities did not immediately name the man they arrested. The states of Oregon, Montana also continue to deal with wildfires.
