Fire behaviour expected to increase in Jasper as extreme heat returns
Posted July 31, 2024 4:32 pm.
Last Updated July 31, 2024 4:59 pm.
After a brief reprieve, scorching temperatures have made their way back to parts of Alberta, and officials say that’s bad news for the wildfire situation.
In an update Wednesday, Alberta wildfire officials insist the province is still in the thick of it despite the cool down last week. Much of the province, including Jasper, is expected tosee daytime highs around 30 C for the next three days.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis says the outlook for Jasper isn’t good with the return of hot, dry and windy weather.
“The wildfire is still active, the weather conditions could lead to danger in the coming days,” he says. “This means that planning needs to be very careful and deliberate.”
Along with the heat, officials say that thundershowers and wind gusts could contribute to challenges for firefighters working in high priority areas.
If there is one silver lining to be found with the return of the heat, Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor says temperatures are still expected to drop significantly overnight with possible single digit-lows in the forecast for Jasper.
“That’s going to really help the crews and help dampen down behaviour,” he says, but adds the expected cool down this weekend in the Calgary area won’t be as pronounced as in Jasper.
Ellis says the province will continue to support Parks Canada and the municipality as they continue to fight the fires.
The province’s lead wildfire officers Christie Tucker says the support Alberta is receiving from other agencies has been greatly helping with fire suppression. This week, Alberta welcomed 100 firefighters from Mexico and 200 from South Africa.
Tucker says incident management specialists teams are helping to refresh staff while imported firefighters are busy extinguishing hotspots and mopping up areas still burning within the wildfire perimeter.
There are currently 116 active wildfires burning in Alberta, 23 of which are considered out of control, including the fire rampaging through Jasper National Park.
READ MORE: Heat warning returns to Calgary
Starting Thursday, the Canadian Red Cross will start distributing $750 in one-time payments per household to those evacuated from their home in Jasper.
Crews continue work to restore power to the townsite and track down lost pets of homeowners.
Flames that destroyed one-third of the town’s structures last week have been extinguished, and Parks Canada says work continues to make sure fire doesn’t re-enter the community.
The 5,000 residents of the town, along with about 20,000 visitors, fled 10 days ago ahead of the fire that eventually entered the town and destroyed 358 homes and businesses.
Critical infrastructure survived and the town is now flushing waterlines and restoring power, but there is still no word on when people can return.
Parks Canada is still working on official tours for evacuees in the national park, and connecting those who were camping with items left behind.
With files from The Canadian Press
