CA: Canadian partially suspended due to wild fires

[k-c-p]

Due to wild fires VIA Rail has suspended the western section of the Canadian until Augst 2nd

Excerpt from the service status page

Following the declared state of emergency due to spreading wildfires in Jasper, AB, VIA Rail has cancelled its train service without offering alternate transportation between Vancouver, BC and Edmonton, AB until August 2nd.

The city of Jasper was badly hit by the fires (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyj423n2jdgo)

Huge, fast-moving wildfires have destroyed up to half of the historic Canadian town of Jasper, officials say, and the blazes are still out of control as firefighters try to save as many buildings as possible.

 

[Mainliner]

The Rocky Mountaineer site has also issued an update on its arrangements, stating “We are extremely grateful our colleagues, guests, and all others have been safely evacuated.”

Current Travel Updates | Rocky Mountaineer

www.rockymountaineer.com

 

[nw1]

Jeez, this (i.e. fires) seems to be happening year on year in the same parts of the world. Canada, Southern Europe, Australia all spring to mind.

 

[Taunton]

The town of Jasper, aside from its modern-day tourism, is essentially a railroad town, a crew change point on the CN route from Edmonton to Vancouver. It is likely a number of rail employees will have been directly affected, with them and their families evacuated - or have actually lost their homes.