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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.