A series of fast-moving wildfires have caused significant destruction in Jasper, Alberta, a historic town in Canada, possibly destroying half of it and forcing thousands to evacuate.
As per BBC, the fires, which have leveled entire streets and turned homes into smoldering rubble, are part of a broader crisis affecting both Canada and the western United States.
The wildfires have been particularly severe in Alberta, where cooler temperatures on Thursday provided some relief but did not bring the fires under control.
However, officials warned that warmer weather is expected to return, posing further challenges.
Meanwhile, in British Columbia, over 400 active fires have prompted numerous evacuation orders. Meanwhile, states like California and Utah in the US are also battling major wildfires.
Jasper National Park reported that approximately 36,000 hectares of land have been affected.
Despite no reported deaths, around 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents have fled the area. The Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith, became emotional during a news conference as she recounted the damage, stating that 30 to 50 percent of buildings in Jasper may have been destroyed.
The fires, which started due to a lightning storm, were quickly fanned by strong winds, becoming uncontrollable and disrupting rail, phone, and power services in Jasper.
As climate change continuous to affect the world, experts are warning that increased lightning strikes could lead to more frequent and intense wildfires in northern forests.
