Over the weekend the estimated perimeter around the Jasper Wildfire Complex remained stable, staying at roughly 32,000 hectares according Parks Canada.
The update reads “Crews continue to work on securing the perimeter of the wildfire to prevent further spread towards the community and critical infrastructures. This work is being done by extinguishing hot spots, aided by helicopter bucketing.”
As well, over the weekend, a plan was put in place by Parks Canada Environmental Assessment specialists to build containment lines using bulldozers and the work started yesterday along Pyramid Lake fire road. These dozer protection lines can help with future planned burns that are burned to deprive the main fire of fuel, but they will not stop the spread of fires through airborne sparks.
Sprinkler systems will continue to be used and crews will continue to put out any hot spots near the perimeter of the town. The 12” high sprinkler system has been moved from the south side to the north and west sides, which are considered at risk because of the active fire. Ontario firefighters joined Parks Canada and Alberta wildfire crews on Sunday on the north line on the Palisades bluffs, while Canadian Armed Forces mopped up spot fires near the northwest side of town.
On Saturday a map was released of damage to structures in town based on a street view assessment. Officials say that while some homes and businesses say “no visible damage” on the map, they may have sustained damage to the sides, back or inside.
According to Sunday’s update, there is a significant number of requests coming into the unified command centre from evacuees asking for help retrieving important personal items or removing food, fridges and freezers. Officials say they are working to restore power to as much of Jasper as possible, but these requests can not be fulfilled as all of their resources are being used to protect the town from the remaining wildfire risk and recover from the impacts of the fire in the townsite. Before residents are allowed to return home they will be given information on how to clean and sanitize all major appliances and surfaces in their homes. Crews will be working on a detailed damage assessment in the community days that will include utilities, structures, roads, and bridges.
As the community of Jasper and the Jasper National Park are evacuated, RCMP are monitoring the community including check stops on Highway 16 at the entrance into the town and barricades at the Saskatchewan Crossing and the entrance on the border of British Columbia. According to officials, there is a 24-hour police presence in the National Park and town, with patrols happening to make sure there is no unauthorized access to the community and anyone found in the town without authorization will be arrested.
“Access to the townsite is limited to incident staff and critical contractors who are responding to this active emergency. Travel into and out of Jasper National Park remains restricted and can only be evaluated for reopening when the risk of wildfire activity is significantly reduced.”
There also is still no access to parts of the park not impacted by fire. According to the latest Parks Canada update the situation is “still very much an active incident, and the situation may continue to change rapidly.” There are no emergency services available within Jasper National Park, and all resources are being dedicated to the wildfire situation.
“Our goal is to reopen roadways/areas as soon as possible, however, we must do so safely and in a way which doesn’t divert resources from managing the active crisis.”
Today the provincial government will be hosting a Telephone Online town hall for those across the province who have been evacuated, during this town hall there will be updates given on the wildfire situation and evacuees can have their questions answered.
A recording of the town hall will be posted for evacuees who are unable to attend the event. Resources have also been posted on the Town of Jasper’s Facebook page, for things such as financial assistance, warnings about fraud scams and more.