Canadian wildfire could last for months, official says

JASPER, Canada – And Forest fire The blaze that has destroyed hundreds of structures in the town of Jasper is the largest recorded in Jasper National Park in a century and could continue to burn for months, an official with Parks Canada, the agency that manages Canada’s natural parks, said Saturday.

“We are likely to be working on this forest fire for at least the next three months.”said Landon Shepherd, deputy emergency commander, at a news conference in the nearby community of Hinton.

“What the last five years have taught us is that the fire season in Jasper tends to extend well into the fall.” “What the last five years have taught us is that the fire season in Jasper tends to extend well into the fall.”

The region received about 1.2 centimeters (about half an inch) of rain over about a day and a half, but there were still active flames near the community.

More than 20,000 residents of the town and surrounding area, nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta province, were ordered to evacuate on Monday due to the rapidly spreading wildfires. Parks Canada said 358 of the town’s 1,113 structures were destroyed.

In an online update, Parks Canada said firefighting in Jasper has progressed well.

Parks Canada added that power is being restored to parts of downtown Jasper and critical infrastructure, which will expedite damage assessment and recovery work.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on her radio show Saturday that she would like to see bus tours organized so people who had to be evacuated from Jasper can see the damage for themselves and know what to expect when they are allowed to return home.

Christine Nadon, emergency commander for the Town of Jasper, said conditions are still unsafe for any type of visitation because of chemicals released by burned structures and because the fire continues to burn on the outskirts of town.

Source: AP