Jasper Wildfire Cancellations and Status Updates

The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) released a statement addressing the Jasper wildfires on July 26, expressing concern for the increasing frequency of such weather events in Western Canada and the toll these environmental disasters have on the tourism industry.

“The wildfires in Western Canada have not only posed a threat to the safety and well-being of residents but have also had a significant impact on the tourism industry in the region. As a key player in the travel sector, CATO recognizes the importance of addressing climate change to ensure the long-term sustainability of our industry.

Climate change is a pressing issue that cannot be ignored. The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, along with other extreme weather events, are clear indicators of the urgent need for action. As tour operators, we have a responsibility to promote sustainable practices and advocate for policies that mitigate the effects of climate change.

CATO is committed to working with our members, partners, and government agencies to support affected communities, promote resilience, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. We urge all stakeholders in the tourism industry to prioritize sustainability and take proactive measures to address the challenges posed by climate change.

Our thoughts are with the residents of Jasper, Alberta, and all those impacted by the wildfires in Western Canada. Together, we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for our industry and our planet.”

The Jasper wildfire, which displaced tens of thousands of visitors from the historic resort town, have led Rocky Mountaineer and Via Rail to cancel itineraries.

Approximately 25,000 people evacuated the mountain resort town in Alberta after wildfires sprang up in Jasper National Park Monday night (July 22). Officials have declared the situation a state of emergency.

The fires reached the nearby town of Jasper Wednesday (July 24). Multiple buildings and structures have been damaged or destroyed, including the hotel Maligne Lodge and the renowned Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf resort.

In an update posted to Instagram Thursday evening, the resort stated that most of its property had been spared from the passing wildfire.

“We are able to confirm that though the hotel did incur fire damage, most of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge structures, including the main lodge, remain standing and intact,” the post said. “While we will need time to assess the full scale of the damage and the timelines required for repair and restoration, we are deeply relieved that much of the property was spared and the resort will re-open in the future.”

The resort is in the process of contacting future guests and processing refunds.

Rocky Mountaineer released a travel update that all rail journeys to and from Jasper are cancelled for the foreseeable future.

“Our team is moving as quickly as possible to work through the impact to guest itineraries. We ask guests to please be patient as we address departures in sequential order,” the company said in a statement. “The safety of our guests, team members, and communities is always our priority. We remain committed to providing guests with their rail journeys when it is safe to do so.”

Guests booked on the Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Goldrush itineraries departing July 25 to July 30 are being contacted by guest services. The routes First Passage to the West and Rockies to the Red Rocks are unaffected by the wildfires.

Via Rail also released an update that two of its services had been disrupted by the state of emergency: the Toronto to Edmonton route and the Jasper to Prince Rupert route.

All trips connecting Edmonton and Vancouver are suspended until August 2. Trips connecting Jasper and Prince George are cancelled until July 31. For more information regarding trip statuses, refer to the Via Rail website.