JASPER, Alberta (AP) — A wildfire that destroyed hundreds of structures in the town of Jasper is the largest fire recorded in Jasper National Park in a century and could still be burning months from now, a Parks Canada official said Saturday .
“We expect we will be working on this wildfire for the next three months at least,” Landon Shepherd, deputy incident commander, said at a news conference in the nearby community of Hinton. “What the last five years have taught us is that fire season in Jasper tends to last well into the fall.”
The region received about 1.2 centimeters (almost half an inch) of rain over about a day and a half, but there were still active outbreaks near the community.
More than 20,000 people in and around the city nestled in the Rocky Mountains in the province of Alberta were forced to evacuate Monday night due to fast-moving wildfires. Parks Canada said 358 of the city’s 1,113 structures were destroyed.
In an online update, Parks Canada said fire suppression has been progressing well in the city.
The federal agency said power is being restored to parts of the city center and critical infrastructure, which it said would help speed damage assessment and recovery.
Earlier Saturday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on her radio show that she would like to see bus tours organized for evacuated Jasper residents so they could see the damage for themselves and learn what wait until they could return home.
Christine Nadon, incident commander for Jasper Township, said conditions are not yet safe for any type of outing due to chemicals released from the burned structures and because the fire is still burning on the outskirts of town.
“This is a plan we are working on and will have available as soon as possible,” she said.
Nadon said his own home was among the many destroyed.
Smith, along with Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other dignitaries, visited the evacuated city on Friday.
The premier told listeners on Saturday that she expected it to be about 28 days before Jasper residents could return to their city. She said it took a similar amount of time for Fort McMurray residents to get the green light to return home after it was hit by a ferocious fire in 2016.
Provincial wildfire officials said about 17,100 Albertans were evacuated due to wildfires on Saturday.
The province said there have been 157 wildfires in Alberta, with 44 classified as out of control, 45 held and 68 under control.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for three Little Red River Cree Nation communities as well as Chipewyan Lake.
More support from Ontario, Quebec, Australia and South Africa is expected to arrive on Sunday, the province said.
Meanwhile, British Columbia officials say the fire risk is improving in the province due to rain and cooler temperatures.
A situational update from the BC Wildfire Service says fire behavior has been reduced on some major fires. Cool, rainy conditions are expected for the western half of the province on Sunday, also reaching parts of the Interior.
There are about 385 fires across the province, including six that are considered “newsworthy” because they pose a threat to people or property or are highly visible.
Jim Morris Cell: 604-787-7418 Email: jamelhorris@shaw.ca
