Parks Canada says Saturday (Aug. 3) was “an exceptionally difficult day” with the death of an Alberta Wildfire member.
“Incident personnel and the firefighting community are all in mourning, and our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and friends of our fallen colleague and friend,” Parks Canada stated in a Sunday (Aug. 4) update.
The Jasper Wildfire Complex experienced a significant growth of about 2,000 hectares and is now estimated at 34,000 hectares.
Variable wind speed and direction also created additional fire activity in several places.
Parks Canada noted that progress was made in reducing the fire threat in the Utopia Mountain and Miette Hot Springs area with crews being demobilized in these areas.
Cooler weather and rain are expected to provide some relief over the next few days, although Sunday’s rain amounts are forecasted at only two to five millimetres late this afternoon or evening.
“Crews will continue to work on maintaining and protecting critical infrastructure and utilities, while continuing containment efforts near the Jasper townsite,” Parks Canada added.
“Facility protection will be ongoing for other remaining values at risk within 15 km of the active fire perimeter.”
Evacuee transit via Highway 16
The Municipality of Jasper announced that Highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway, will be open daily starting Monday (Aug. 5) during limited times to allow evacuees to travel from British Columbia back to Alberta.
There will be one RCMP escorted trip at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., but times may be subject to change depending on conditions.
Evacuees will not be allowed to stop along the way or enter the townsite or anywhere else in the closure area.
More details can be found on the municipality’s website or Facebook page.
Re-entry preparations
The Municipality of Jasper’s re-entry plan is now underway with around 40 sub-plans being implemented.
Crews have finished setting up perimeter fencing around damaged sites and removing hazardous trees in the townsite.
Parks Canada stated that crews will continue identifying hazards, removing debris and restoring utility services.
Street sweeping and cleaning crews are working to prepare municipal buildings for reopening.
Parks Canada is planning for the most essential in-town critical services and critical retail to visit their sites Monday for an initial damage assessment.
The agency noted that even after essential services are restored, wildfire behaviour and the risk to the town and outlying properties will ultimately determine when re-entry is possible.
