Jasper fires disrupt rail service, delays expected at Port of Vancouver

A wildfire burns in Jasper National Park in this Wednesday, July 24, 2024 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Facebook, Jasper National Park

The wildfires raging in Jasper National Park and the shutdown of rail traffic through the area are expected to have an impact on Canada's supply chain.

Both the Port of Vancouver, Canada's largest port, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority in Prince Rupert, B.C. are anticipating slowdowns due to the situation in Jasper, where wildfire destroyed portions of the townsite this week and firefighters continue to work to get flames under control.

Jasper is a key corridor for the movement of Canadian goods. The main line for the country's largest rail operator, Canadian National Railway Co., runs through the park before it continues west to the export hubs of Vancouver and Prince Rupert and east to the rest of the country.

CN Rail suspended operations in the Jasper area Wednesday afternoon as fire conditions worsened. It is unclear when rail service will resume.

Alex Munro, a spokesman for the Port of Vancouver, said the port expects to see delays in the movement of goods in the coming days due to the situation in Jasper. He added the port also expects to see an increase in anchorage utilization due to ships waiting on delayed cargoes.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and work with our supply chain partners to ensure Canada's trade can continue to move safely and efficiently," Munro said in an email.

At the Port of Prince Rupert, the third busiest seaport in Canada by container volume and cargo tonnage, spokeswoman Olivia Mowatt said marine terminals continue to operate but "some will likely be impacted by the interruption of rail service."

"The Prince Rupert Port Authority remains in close contact with CN and terminal operators within the Port of Prince Rupert to understand the immediate impacts on rail service connecting B.C. and Alberta," Mowatt said.

"Our thoughts are with the evacuees and wildfire crews who are working to bring the fires under control and allow this vital transportation corridor to be restored to full capacity."

Jasper is also a hub for passenger rail traffic. The historic train station in Jasper is owned by Parks Canada and the train platform is owned by Via Rail, which offers scenic passenger rail journeys from there through the Rocky Mountains and onward to Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C.

Via Rail said Thursday that the station and platform appear to still be intact, according to the latest information the company has received. The company's operations through Jasper have been temporarily halted.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2024.