JASPER, Alberta (AP) — A wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of structures in the town of Jasper is the largest fire recorded in Jasper National Park in a century and could still be raging months from now, a Parks Canada official said Saturday.
“We’re going to be working on this wildfire, we anticipate, for at least the next three months,” Landon Shepherd, a deputy incident commander, said 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 typically lasts well into the fall.”
The region received about 1.2 inches of rain over about a day and a half, but there were still active hotspots near the community.
More than 20,000 people in and around the Rocky Mountain city in Alberta province were ordered to evacuate Monday night because of fast-moving wildfires. Parks Canada said 358 of the city’s 1,113 buildings were destroyed.
Parks Canada reported in an online update that firefighting efforts in the city are progressing well.
The federal agency said power is being restored to parts of the city center and to critical infrastructure, which it said would help speed further damage assessment and recovery efforts.
Earlier Saturday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on her radio show that she would like to see bus tours organized for evacuated Jasper residents so they can see the damage for themselves and know what to expect when they are allowed to return home.
Christine Nadon, incident commander with the City of Jasper, said conditions are not yet safe for tours due to chemicals released from the burned buildings and because the fire is still raging on the edge of town.
“That’s a plan we’re working on and will have available as soon as possible,” she said.
Nadon said her own home was among the many destroyed.
Smith visited the evacuated town on Friday along with Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other dignitaries.
The premier told listeners Saturday that she expected it would take nearly 28 days for Jasper residents to be allowed to return to their city. She said it took the same amount of time for Fort McMurray residents to get the green light to go home after it was ravaged by a devastating fire in 2016.
Provincial fire officials said an estimated 17,100 Albertans were evacuated on Saturday due to the wildfires.
According to the province, there are 157 wildfires burning in Alberta, with 44 considered out of control, 45 considered contained and 68 considered contained.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for three communities of the Little Red River Cree Nation and Chipewyan Lake.
The province expects more aid to arrive from Ontario, Quebec, Australia and South Africa on Sunday.
Meanwhile, officials in British Columbia report that the fire risk in the province is decreasing due to rain and cooler temperatures.
A situational update from the BC Wildfire Service reports that fire behavior has diminished on some of the larger fires. Cool and showery conditions are expected for the western half of the province on Sunday, as well as parts of the interior.
There are about 385 fires burning in the province, including six that are considered “notable” because they pose a threat to people or property or are highly visible.
Jim Morris Mobile: 604-787-7418 Email: jamesmorris@shaw.ca