Historic Rocky Mountains ski resort is devastated by 330ft-high ‘monster’ wildfire with 50% of town burnt to the ground and inferno reaching luxury hotel loved by the Queen

A historic ski resort in the Rocky Mountains has been devastated by a 300-foot-high wildfire, burning down half the nearest town.

The popular tourist destination of Jasper, in the Canadian province of Alberta, has been hit by a fire that has even reached the luxury hotel that was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II.

Although the town has a permanent population of only 5,000, 25,000 people fled overnight as flames rose above the treetops and destroyed half the buildings, officials said Thursday.

There were no immediate reports of injuries after the picturesque resort town and a neighboring national park were evacuated en masse earlier this week. However, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland wrote in a letter on the town’s website that the wildfire “has devastated our beloved community.”

“The devastation and loss that many of you are experiencing and witnessing is indescribable and incomprehensible. My deepest condolences go out to each and every one of you,” he said.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said 30% to 50% of the city’s buildings may be damaged or destroyed, requiring “significant rebuilding and significant displacement.”

Mrs. Smith had tears in her eyes as she spoke about the beauty of Jasper, which many tourists visit for activities such as hiking, skiing, kayaking and cycling.

It was also confirmed that the fire had spread to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, a 100-year-old retreat beloved by the royal family.

The late Queen and Prince Philip stayed at the hotel in 2005, almost 70 years after Princess Margaret, King George VI and his daughter, the future monarch, were guests in 1936.

The hotel said there was “uncertainty about the extent of the damage” caused by the fire.

Jasper is also known for its wide variety of wildlife, including moose, mountain goats, cougars, lynx, black bears and grizzly bears.

At a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta, Smith pledged her government’s support for the community’s recovery, adding, “We share the sense of loss with everyone who lives in the city.”

Parks Canada officials later said all major infrastructure had been protected, including the hospital, schools and sewage treatment plant.

They said the most significant structural damage is concentrated on the west side of the city. Some bridges around the city and throughout the park were damaged.

Jasper and the adjacent Jasper National Park were threatened by fires from both the north and south. Residents and visitors fled Monday and Tuesday as the fires flared.

One of the fires raged toward the southern edge of the community on Wednesday evening as firefighters tried to contain the damage.

Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said a gust of wind moved the wildfire about five kilometres (about three miles) toward the city in probably less than 30 minutes, with a wall of fire he estimated was 100 metres high.

“People have to imagine what those wildland firefighters went through. Any firefighter will tell you there’s not much you can do when you have a wall of fire coming at you,” Ellis said. “Nobody expected it to grow that fast and that big.”

Pierre Martel, director of fire management for Parks Canada, said lightning, wind and dry weather caused the fire to spread quickly on Monday, with flames already rising above the treetops when it reached the city on Wednesday.

“It’s just a monster at that point. There are no tools that we have in our toolbox to address that at that point. You get out of the way, you retreat,” he said.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Parks Canada said “no injuries have been reported.”

It added: ‘Approximately 25,000 people were safely evacuated from the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park. All residents, visitors and emergency responders are safe.’

Annelies Lagger, who has owned and lived at the Austrian Haven B&B for 30 years, says she is still waiting to hear whether her home and business were destroyed after she fled with her pets – 13 cats and a dog.

Mrs. Lagger said, “I have no idea where I’m going now. Heaven or hell. It was my life. You can imagine how much work it was,” she said. “I guess I’m in shock.”

She said the homes of relatives, including her daughter and son-in-law, were destroyed.

“It was the heat that dried everything out. And now the city is gone,” she added.

Lagger has been staying with a stranger in Valemount, British Columbia, but said she will eventually have to find a new home for her family members and “for her animals.”

“I’m a very tough woman. Whatever happens, I’m starting over, even though I’m 82 years old,” she continued.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government has approved Alberta’s request for federal assistance, including military resources.

Jasper National Park is considered a national heritage site and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1984 for its striking mountain scenery, which is part of the Canadian Rockies.

The wildfire came after Alberta suffered scorching temperatures, forcing another 7,500 people to flee remote areas.

There are approximately 176 forest fires raging in the province, 54 of which are out of control.

Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said many of the fires are caused by lightning, while Alberta Wildfires spokesperson Christie Tucker said firefighters expect high winds to increase the danger.

Tucker said hundreds of firefighters from Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa are coming to the province to help battle the wildfires.

Record numbers of wildfires in 2023 forced more than 235,000 people to evacuate in Canada and sent thick smoke into parts of the U.S., leading to foggy skies and health warnings in several U.S. cities.