Chetamon Fire in Jasper National Park to be allowed to spread for ecological benefits
Parks Canada is ceasing firefighting efforts on part of Chetamon Wildfire in Jasper National Park for the ecological benefits.
Parks Canada announced Monday it would let the roughly 6,000-hectare blaze east of the Jasper townsite spread into the Chetamon Mountain basin and the valleys of Vine Creek, Corral Creek and Snake-Indian River.
"Fires have many ecological benefits; they reduce fuels, release nutrients and allow for a mosaic of ecosystems that support a diversity of plants and wildlife," Parks Canada said in a statement.
"By allowing fire to burn in these areas, Jasper National Park will have renewed habitat for wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, and elk."
Parks Canada also noted that letting the fire spread now – and eat up branches, logs, shrubs and other fire fuels – could help create a "fuel break," limiting the spread of future wildfires.
"By allowing certain areas of the Chetamon wildfire to grow under monitored conditions, vegetation will be reduced. The fuel break this creates will ultimately prevent future catastrophic wildfires that start in the northwest from spreading toward communities and infrastructure."
NO THREAT TO COMMUNITIES
The southern point of Chetamon Fire is located about 15 kilometres east of the Jasper townsite.
On Monday, there continued to be no risk to communities.
Valleys, rocky ridges, water, and low-lying moist areas are expected to contain the fire naturally as the western flank spreads.
Fire activity is expected to pick up over the week, as the forecast contains warm temperatures and no precipitation.
Officials expect the blaze to grow a couple hundred hectares along the west flank, at most, in the coming weeks.
Residents and visitors were told to expect to see smoke, flare ups, and potentially torching happening in the area for several weeks.
Parks Canada said it would respond accordingly if conditions changed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.