Chetamon wildfire: strong winds Sunday posing challenges for firefighters

Sunday’s strong afternoon winds in Jasper National Park are expected to pose challenges for firefighters battling the Chetamon wildfire.

The lightning-sparked blaze reached roughly 5,800 hectares by Sunday morning.

Parks Canada says helicopter bucketing will be the primary fire-fighting tool on Sunday because winds are expected to compromise the safety of crews on the ground at the head of the fire.

There are approximately 126 firefighters and eight helicopters battling the Chetamon blaze.

Map showing are of Jasper’s Chetamon wildfire. (Credit: Parks Canada/handout)

The parks authority continues to assure residents that no nearby communities are threatened by the wildfire.

Parks Canada says crews managed to maintain the fire’s perimeter on Saturday despite hot and dry weather – making for elevated burning conditions. There was no further spread to the north, while just a few trees caught fire in the south.

Visibility on Highway 16 – linking British Columbia and Alberta – is expected to be reduced. Parks Canada says smoke from wildfires in B.C. and the United States could be contributing to low visibility.

RCMP say officers are prepared to use traffic control on the highway if deemed necessary, while a complete highway closure is the last resort.

Residents of Jasper may experience “intermittent power outages and a reduced power supply” while the ATCO transmission power line gets repaired.

To conserve power, Parks Canada says it is closing campgrounds and reducing visitor services.