An emergency alert was issued in Jasper this week as wildfires surged through the Canadian province of Alberta.
Those in Jasper National Park and the municipality have been urged to evacuate immediately.
A statement on the Jasper National Park website confirmed that “reservations from July 23 until August 6 in Jasper National Park will automatically be cancelled and fully refunded.”
It stated that “there is no need for further action on the part of visitors for these cancellations and refunds.
Reopening dates will be confirmed when available and any further cancelations communicated as required.
Tour operators acted quickly to evacuate clients out of the affected areas.
Lorna Curry, Head of Product at First Class Holidays, said: “We’re in close contact with our partners on the ground in Canada to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests. All guests who were in Jasper are in the process of being evacuated to Banff.
“This is a continually changing situation which we are monitoring and managing in accordance with the authorities in Alberta.”
Denise Hunn, Manager – Canada & USA Tour Programme at Prestige Travel assured that alternative accommodation and arrangements are in place for guests, saying: “Guests have already been contacted. We want to make sure they are safe and that future plans are not unduly affected.”
Hunn added: “We are prepared to change itineraries or move visitors arriving into Jasper by the end of July. We are working proactively for future bookings as well.”
Prestige Travel encourages agents to contact its 24-hour customer service desk at 01425 480 400.
There are now Designated Reception Centres in Grande Prairie and Calgary, too.
A message on the Parks Canada website read: “Parks Canada’s priority is the safety of staff, residents and visitors. Fire personnel will continue assessing the wildfires.”
It was reported that lightning ignited a spate of wildfires in drought-impacted western Canada last week.
There were around 400 fires in the country on Tuesday, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
