Jasper Alberta Wildfire Update August 3, 2024
As of August 3, 2024, here is the latest from Parks Canada. Information includes updates on the Municipality of Jasper, Visitor property retrieval (medication and passports) and highways. Stay safe!
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasp...
Wildfire Status
Smoke from the Jasper Wildfire Complex, August 2 2024
While the Jasper Wildfire Complex remains out of control, wildland and structural firefighters have made and continue to make progress. Yesterday did see fire growth and increased fire behaviour in areas where the fire is not being suppressed, primarily on the south end of the fire.
Areas of the fire where crews have been working did not see significant fire activity. These include the areas closest to the community and other critical infrastructure.
A night vision helicopter from Alberta Wildfire began bucketing operations last night from 8 PM to 8 AM this morning. This not only allows fire suppression to occur through the night when wildfire activity is lower, it also provides real-time information on the status of the fire.
As weather and time permits, helicopter GPS data is continuously refining the perimeter size, providing more accurate information. While the wildfire did experience 6,000 hectares of growth yesterday, today, the Jasper Wildfire Complex is estimated at approximately 32,500 hectares - this number is subject to change as GPS data is updated. More growth is anticipated today as the hot and dry weather continues.
Today, crews will be working along Highway 16 north of the community. Structural protection work will continue around Lake Edith and Lake Annette. Canadian Armed Forces personnel will be conducting patrols to extinguish hotspots along Pyramid Bench. Overnight bucketing operations are expected to continue over the next few days.
Yesterday, to protect the safety of responders, non-essential personnel working in the Municipality of Jasper were removed from the fire area by 2:00 pm. This was due to the potential for fire spread. Today, based on yesterdays observed fire activity around the townsite, restorative crews will be able to continue work for as long as conditions are safe.
Non-essential personnel working outside the townsite were asked to leave the fire area by noon today. Firefighters and restorative crews will continue suppression activity throughout the day.
Municipality of Jasper
Approximately 80% of perimeter fencing has been put up around affected structures and 100 % of hazard trees have been removed. The remaining fencing is expected to be completed by Saturday, August 3, provided conditions allow for crews to work safely.
The municipality continues work to restore critical services and facilities within the townsite when fire conditions permit.
Perishables are being removed from sites that are deemed critical retail (for example grocery stores, hospital, gas stations). Perishables are not being removed from residential sites. Alberta Health Services will be able to support residents with safe fridge and freezer clean-up and disposal if required. Waste removal from the town is ongoing to mitigate potential wildlife attractants.
Plans are underway to return residents of Jasper currently in Valemount to Alberta. Residents from the Alpine Summit Lodge and Pine Grove Manor arrived in Hinton today. Next week a plan will be implemented to return the rest of Jasperites in Valemount to Alberta.
Evacuated Visitors
Visitors who left medication or essential documents, like a passport that they need collected from Jasper National Park or the Municipality of Jasper, can call Jasper Bylaw at 780-852-5518 or by email at [email protected].
You will be asked to provide your name and details on what you need to be retrieved and where it is located.
If you were staying at a hotel, provide the hotel name and room number you were staying in.
If you were staying in an private home accommodation, provide the home owner’s phone number.
If you were staying at a campground, provide the campground name and the campsite number.
We will be coordinating the retrieval of documents to the best of our ability given the changing weather conditions and increasing fire activity. Our ability to enter different areas is subject to change.
Commercial Traffic restored to Highway 16
With limited access restored, commercial traffic flowed without disruption yesterday on Highway 16. Access is being facilitated through Jasper National Park for commercial vehicles only. Commercial vehicles are defined as trucks, tractors, trailers, or any combination thereof, with a registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 11,794 kilograms.
To ensure safety, entry past the blockade is available between the following times (Mountain Daylight Time):
5:00 am - 7:00 am MDT
10:00 am - 5:00 pm MDT
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm MDT
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