Parks Canada is fighting to save Jasper National Park, and its townsite, from two wildfires/Parks Canada

Jasper National Park, one of Canada’s beloved Rocky Mountain parks, is fighting aggressive wildfires that have forced an evacuation and reached its townsite.

The fire reached the Alberta town, where more than 4,000 people live, on Wednesday night. Photos circulated online of Maligne Lodge engulfed in flames. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, just outside of town, was monitoring the situation remotely and said the fire had reached its grounds.

“Today has been an exceptionally difficult day for Jasperites, incident personnel and everyone who loves Jasper,” Parks Canada reported at 10 p.m. Mountain Time Wednesday. “Structural firefighters continue to work to save as many structures as possible and to protect critical infrastructure. Many more structural firefighters are en route to provide assistance.”

The federal agency reported “significant loss” within the townsite. “We are sensitive that residents, business owners, visitors, and those with connections to Jasper want to know the state of their homes, businesses, treasures and favourite places. Our focus continues to be on saving as many structures as possible. Unfortunately, we can't report on the extent of damage to specific locations or neighbourhoods at this time.”

Air quality has deteriorated forcing wildland firefighters and others without self-contained breathing apparatuses to evacuate to Hinton. Structural firefighters are working to save as many structures as possible and to protect critical infrastructure, including the wastewater treatment plant, communications facilities and the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

“The news this evening that the fire has entered our town has rocked us all,” Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said in a statement. “The pain and heartache that you feel is shared by each one of us.”

The town, and park, were evacuated Monday. People were forced to drive west into British Columbia and then loop back to Alberta to reach evacuation centers in Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie.

Alberta has asked for federal government help as Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper and responders from Alberta and other provinces battle to protect the town. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “we're mobilizing every necessary resource available.”

Jasper is considered a national treasure. Several hours north of Banff National Park, it’s Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain park and the world's second largest Dark Sky Preserve. It draws about 2.5 million visitors a year and has 11,228 square kilometres (4,335 square miles) of mountain terrain and abundant wildlife.

Parks Canada is proactively cancelling and fully refunding all campground reservations until Aug. 6. Before reopening, all campgrounds will need to be cleaned since most visitors left quickly. It will also take time to recall staff.