Devastating Jasper wildfire now listed as under control, Parks Canada says
Nearly seven weeks since a wildfire forced the evacuation of Jasper National Park and burned nearly a third of the townsite's structures, Parks Canada says the blaze is now officially under control.
Landon Shepherd, incident commander with the parks agency, told an online media briefing Saturday the change in status means the fire has been sufficiently suppressed to ensure it won't spread outside of its defined perimeter.
Shepherd says that perimeter is 278 km long.
The fire's status was last changed on Aug. 17 when it moved from being out-of-control to "being held," which meant it wasn't expected to spread into any priority areas.
That happened one day after residents of the Jasper townsite were allowed to return home on Aug. 16.
Shepherd notes there is still a good chance that smoke, as well as flames, will be visible inside the fire area right into early winter.
"While we have much to celebrate today, there's certainly a lot more to be done, and our collaborative efforts aren't going to end with just putting this 'under control' stamp on a very large and complex wildfire, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Municipality of Jasper on the road to rebuilding and recovery," Shepherd said.
The town's 5,000 residents and 20,000 visitors to Jasper National Park were ordered out in late July due to the wildfire.
Shepherd said the change in the fire's status won't affect what's open in the park. Campgrounds and many trails remain closed, according to the park's website, and Shepherd said that reopening them requires crews being able to ensure areas are safe from fire-weakened trees.
The website says Roads are also closed other than Highway 16, Highway 93N, the Columbia Icefield area, Miette Road and Miette Hot Springs area, the Jasper town site, and the Pyramid Lake area west of the Pyramid Lake parking lot.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because high levels could pose a risk to the intellectual development of children.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increase risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
America votes: How the election could impact the Canada-U.S. border
While America's southern border remains a hot button issue on the campaign trail, the result of the U.S. election in November could also impact the northern frontier with Canada, which remains the longest undefended border in the world.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
One year in, war casts a shadow over every aspect of life in Israel
As Israel's war with Hamas reaches its one-year mark, it can seem on the surface that much of life in the country has returned to normal. But with many still reeling from Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, hostages remaining in captivity and a new front of war with Hezbollah in the north, many Israelis feel depressed, despondent and angry as the war stretches into its second year.
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.