Firefighters brace for renewed battle with Jasper wildfire
As rising temperatures fan the blaze that devastated Jasper, crews battling the flames plan to fight fire with fire.
Firefighters deployed by Parks Canada are hoping to contain the flames by robbing the fire of fuel.
Ignition specialists are assessing options to burn unburned and partially burned trees near the fire perimeter.
The controlled burns will take place along the edge of the flames. Dozer guards have been dug out in an attempt to break the path of the fire, Parks Canada said in a statement Wednesday.
The operations will help remove fuel from the fire and prevent the fire from breaching control lines — perimeters cut through the forest designed to contain the flames.
CANADA'S WILDFIRES: Visit The Weather Network's wildfire hub to keep up with the latest on the active wildfire season across Canada
The work will only be carried out in "carefully chosen conditions," parks officials said.
Firefighters are bracing for another battle with the wildfire that ripped through Jasper last week, destroying hundreds of structures.
Work continues to protect critical infrastructure and reduce the remaining risk to the community.
Camp set up for firefighters
Over 750 personnel are working on the Jasper disaster, parks officials said Wednesday afternoon, and in an effort to free up hotel rooms for Jasper evacuees and alleviate housing pressures within Hinton, Alta., firefighters will be housed at an incident camp starting Wednesday evening.
Work continues to protect critical infrastructure and reduce the remaining risk to the community.
All remaining spot fires that had continued to smoulder in the townsite are now out but the fire continues to burn out of control across a vast stretch of forest to the northeast, east, and southeast of the community.All remaining spot fires that had continued to smoulder in the townsite are now out but the fire continues to burn out of control across a vast stretch of forest to the northeast, east, and southeast of the community.
The fire, likely sparked by lightning, is one in a cluster of three fires being fought as one. In all, they have burned more than 36,000 hectares.
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Officials with Parks Canada say increasingly hot and dry weather has begun to fan the flames.
"As expected, we are beginning to see an increase in fire behaviour as weather transitions to hotter, drier, and windier conditions," an update from Parks Canada said Wednesday afternoon. "Thundershowers and wind gusts could create challenging conditions for firefighters who continue to action high priority areas."
Tuesday was hotter and drier than anticipated, resulting in increased fire activity, officials said.
As the temperatures rose to 26 C and the winds gusted to 30 km/h, the fire grew, expanding its reach along the Icefields Parkway.
Wednesday's forecast is expected to bring the same heat and gusting winds and there may be increased smoke in the area, officials cautioned. Winds are expected to gust up to 50 km/h this afternoon with a high of 25 C.
Crews will focus on priority areas including Pyramid Bench, south of Pyramid Lake, areas near Marmot Basin, and the perimeter of the fire closest to the north end of town, Parks Canada said.
WATCH: Scenes from the wildfires in Jasper that forced people to evacuate the city
About one-third of the structures in the townsite — an estimated 358 out of 1,113 — were destroyed when the flames moved in from the south last Wednesday, overwhelming crews.
Evacuation orders had come two days before. An estimated 25,000 people fled the park with hours notice as the flames encroached on highways, showering ash and embers.
The town's 5,000 residents remain displaced. Re-entry plans have been approved but will not be enacted until the fire is no longer deemed a threat.
Hazards posed by the wreckage must also be secured, and critical services restored, before the park gates will open to residents.
Debris removal is underway and crews are installing safety fencing around the debris of burned-out buildings, restoring power and felling trees left scorched and lifting dangerously by the flames.
Highway to open to heavy commercial traffic 'imminently'
As the wildfire continues to actively burn and smoulder along Highway 16, the critical route through the park, remains closed. Plans are in the works to allow drivers to travel across the highway, but not enter town.
Parks Canada said Wednesday that "plans are underway to imminently facilitate movement of heavy commercial traffic," on Highway 16 through the park.
Updates on when the highway will open to semis as well a to other users will be posted to 511 Alberta and on the park's website.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said in a news conference Wednesday afternoon that he expected th highway would be open to commercial traffic within 24 hours.
The stretch of Highway 16 through Jasper has been blocked from just west of Hinton to the B.C. border since July 22.
"Our first priority is the safety and security of response staff, residents, and infrastructure before visitors will be allowed to return," Parks Canada said Tuesday.
"All available resources are currently dedicated to responding to this incident and we thank you for your continued patience and understanding."
A plan to help campers who left trailers and personal belongings in the national park is also underway and will be finalized in the next 24 to 48 hours, Ellis said Wednesday. Jasper National Park remains closed.
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Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta will push the federal government and the Town of Jasper to fast-track the rebuild of the picturesque Rocky Mountain townsite.
Smith says her government is striking a committee of senior civil servants to work with Parks Canada and Jasper leaders to swap ideas, expedite development permits and collaborate on ways to restore Jasper as quickly as possible.
"Sometimes these permit approvals can be complicated. They can be lengthy," Smith told reporters in Calgary on Tuesday.
"But we also see what happens on the other end, that a few years in, you can actually make great progress.
"We don't want to be three or four years in and still waiting for development and permit approvals."
Thumbnail image credit to Alberta Wildfire/X.
This article, written by Wallis Snowdon, was originally published for CBC News on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. It contains files from The Canadian Press.
