A raging wildfire has swept through the town of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, devastating up to half of its structures and forcing 25,000 people to evacuate.
The picturesque resort town, nestled in Jasper National Park, saw flames higher than treetops engulf its southern edge on Wednesday evening.
While no injuries have been reported, the damage to the beloved community is extensive.
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said in a statement: "The destruction and loss that many you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension, my deepest sympathies go out to each of you."
Danielle Smith, premier of Alberta province, estimates that between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the town's structures have been potentially damaged or destroyed. "That's going to be a significant rebuild and significant displacement," she said.
The fire's rapid advance caught many off guard. Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis described a wall of fire estimated to be 100 metres high that moved about 5 kilometres in less than 30 minutes.
Pierre Martel, director of fire management at Parks Canada, said: "It's just a monster at that point. There are no tools we have in our tool box to deal with that at that point. You get out of the way, you retreat."
The impact on residents has been profound. Annelies Lagger, owner of the Austrian Haven B&B for 30 years, fled with her pets and faces an uncertain future. "I have no clue where I go now. Heaven or hell. It was my life. You can imagine how much work it was," she said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance, including military resources.
The wildfire crisis extends beyond Jasper, with 176 fires burning across Alberta, 54 of which are out of control.
International firefighters from Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa are arriving to assist.
It follows a record-breaking wildfire season in Canada, which has already forced over 235,000 people to evacuate and caused severe air quality issues in parts of the United States.
