Beyond Local

First hand account tells the of thunder and bug-size ashes falling from the sky before Jasper residents were told to evacuate

Images of Jasper wild fire devastation are being shared on social media

Jasper National Park says extent of damage unknown

Eyewitness accounts shared on social media

A crew of about 50 firefighters made their way into northern Alberta on Tuesday afternoon, part of a group of international firefighting support for Alberta's growing wildfire demands.

First responders pulled from Jasper as out-of-control blaze reaches community

“A fire crew is currently actioning this fire,” states Parks Canada in a social media post.

A perfect storm of a lightning outbreak Monday night that is believed to have ignited the fires, exceptional heat and dryness, and high winds led to what wildfire officials are calling “aggressive, blow-up fire behaviour.”

The Cold Lake Airshow, hosted by 4 Wing Cold Lake and CFB Cold Lake, brought around 21,000 spectators.

The wildfire threatening Jasper from the south has now burned about 6,750 hectares, while the fire to the north is about 270 hectares in size.