A massive fire that has destroyed almost a third of the famous
Canadian tourist town of Jasper is finally being brought under control.
The fires, caused by an out-of-control wildfire that is sweeping
through Alberta's Jasper National Park, prompted the evacuation of the
town’s 25,000 citizens and tourists last week.
The town and park draw more than two million tourists a year to this area of the Rocky Mountains.
The town is a popular stopover on Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer train journey.
Hundreds of firefighters from around the world have been deployed to
help with the response, but officials warn the extent of the damage is
still emerging.
Pierre Martel, director for the national fire management programme at
Parks Canada, told the BBC the fire was started by a lightning storm
and was fanned by powerful winds.
"It [was] just a monster at that point," Martel said. "There are no tools we have in our tool box to deal with it.”