The City of Prince George announced early Tuesday morning that its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is actively monitoring the evolving situation in Jasper, where an evacuation order has been issued due to nearby wildfire activity.
Residents and visitors in the community and Jasper National Park were originally told to head west into B.C. using Highway 16. A state of emergency has been declared. Later, they were told to return to other parts of Alberta because B.C. is already under serious strain from wildfires.
By midday Tuesday, the city had opened Kin 2 arena to people fleeing the fire.
About 100 people, including those on three buses that arrived overnight, were at the arena on Ospika Boulevard to rest and refresh. Buses are being redirected to Calgary.
Meanwhile, Valemount's support services are at capacity and cannot accommodate additional evacuees at this time.
Other people fleeing to B.C. were told Tuesday to turn back and head for Calgary.
“The issue is the severity of wildfire activity and evacuations in B.C. proper," said Stephen Lacroix, managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, according to The Canadian Press. "They had no capacity to house Albertans."
People leaving Jasper are being told to either pass through Prince George, then head to Grande Prairie, or turn south to Kamloops before heading to Calgary.
For the people that are here, City of Prince George Emergency Support Services are not providing lodging or food services, but are available to assist evacuees make their own arrangements.
Read more about the evolving situation here and here.
To assist with any evacuees arriving in Prince George, our Emergency Support Services (ESS) have been activated. Evacuees are asked to check the City of Prince George website for updates.
The Emergency Operations Centre is located at 4249 18th Avenue, Prince George. Reception trailers are located at the parking lot between the horse paddocks and Ice oval (2187 Ospika Blvd. S.). The easiest access will be from the 18th Avenue entrance closest to the roundabout.
Highway closures
- Highway closures, as announced by Parks Canada, are in effect.
- Highway 16 is closed to eastbound traffic at Highway 5.
- Highway 16 is closed at Highway 40
- Highway 93 is closed at Saskatchewan Crossing to all traffic. Anyone south of that spot must travel south, while anyone north of it must go north.
- If travelling to Grande Prairie: Take highway 16 west to Prince George, then proceed north to Dawson Creek via highway 97, and east to Grande Prairie. The Grade Prairie Reception Centre is located at Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Ave, Grande Prairie, A.B., and will open at 9:00am on Tuesday, July 23.
- If travelling to Calgary: Take highway 5 south to Kamloops, then proceed East on Highway 1 to Calgary. Please ensure you are refueling appropriately as you travel between communities.
Evacuees can stop to rest in McBride.
- Short-term parking is available at the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre at 100 Elm St., behind the Valemount Community Hall.
- Robson Valley Community Centre at 441 Columbia St,
Updates will be provided as they become available.
For more information visit the Municipality of Jasper website or Emergency Info BC.
