Chetamon fire continues to burn, firefighters not worried about containment

Parks Canada and firefighters battling the Chetamon wildfire near Jasper say they aren’t concerned about containment lines as the fire sits at an estimated 6,000 hectares for a second day.

Thanks to days getting shorter, weather conditions are cooling, making the battle against the fire less challenging for those involved.

Parks Canada says this is important, as it’s allowing firefighters to spend less time on smouldering surface portions of the fire and allows them to focus on lingering hot spots and areas where fuels are heavier.

As of Thursday, 97 firefighters and five helicopters have been battling the Chetamon wildfire. As the week continues, more crews are expected to arrive and relieve crews who have been working on the blaze since Sept. 1.

Map of Chetamon wildfire on Sept. 15, 2022. (Credit: Parks Canada)

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In Thursday’s update, Park Canada added “ATCO has successfully restored regular transmission power and services to Jasper.

“The past two weeks have been a difficult period for many and we appreciate the adaptability and flexibility of our community residents, visitors to Jasper and the tourism industry. Thank you for changing plans and your support of Jasper and the national park during this significant emergency,” it explained.