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Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper said an early morning infrared scan of the town via helicopter was planned for Sunday in an effort to better identify any areas where the flames had yet to be extinguished
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Crews in Jasper on Sunday morning have managed to extinguish hot spots within the townsite while a massive out-of-control wildfire continues to rage nearby and could become more active as area temperatures begin to climb again.
In a joint update posted Saturday evening, Parks Canada and the municipality of Jasper said an early morning infrared scan of the town via helicopter was planned for Sunday in an effort to better identify any remaining areas where the flames could still spring up.
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“Visible structural hot spots within the town of Jasper have been extinguished. Firefighters continue to patrol for any fire activity with warmer weather and stronger winds,” the update states.
The wildfire, thought to be the largest in Jasper National Park’s history, has been beaten back from the townsite but has otherwise not been contained.
As of Sunday afternoon, Parks Canada said the fire had reached 32,000 hectares in size and was burning to the north, south, and east of the townsite.
Crews are also relocating structural protection sprinklers from areas that have been burned out to form a new fire perimeter.
Bulldozers are preparing to put protection lines around the north end of the community and to help reduce spread west of the community on the lower slopes of Whistlers mountain.
“Due to the drought conditions that existed before the fire and the high intensity of the fire itself, many hot spots exist throughout the fire’s area and along the perimeter,” said a statement from Parks Canada.
“These hot spots take extraordinary amounts of water directly applied to them in order to be fully extinguished.”
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Parks Canada says water bombers are not being used to deal with those hot spots because they require precise targeting beyond the capability of the aircraft.
![Jasper wildfire](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_0228.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&ssl=1)
Flames continue to burn and smoulder along Highway 16, Parks Canada said. Plans are being developed to reopen that highway as well as the Icefields Parkway but there remains no timeline for when that might happen.
“We understand that it feels like access to areas not directly impacted by the fire should be open now. This fire is still very much an active incident, and the situation may continue to change rapidly,” Parks Canada said, adding there are no emergency services available within the park.
“Our goal is to reopen roadways/areas as soon as possible. However, we must do so safely and in a way which doesn’t divert resources from managing the active crisis.”
Warming weather could spur flames again
The townsite has seen temperatures in the mid-teens for most of the past few days along with a run of rain that has helped limit fire growth and allows crews to make progress.
However, Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting warmer weather for the week ahead with high temperatures reaching into the mid 20s C by mid-week and rising into the high 20s C by next weekend.
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“We expect to see a continued increase in fire behaviour today as fuels continue to dry out,” Parks Canada’s statement said.
Outside of a chance of showers on Monday, the forecast indicates limited precipitation in the days afterward.
The initial fire is thought to be caused by lightning and was propelled towards the townsite at a rapid rate by wind gusts that exceeded 100 km/h.
The federal and provincial governments have agreed to each match donations to the Canadian Red Cross supporting wildfire disaster relief, effectively tripling any donations coming from the public.
Damage revealed
Late Saturday, the municipality published a map and list of all properties indicating if they were still standing and if they had visible damage.
Some structures are still standing on the same block where other homes, in some instances next door, have been destroyed.
![Jasper damage map](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/jasper-damage-map-july27_r86fry-cg.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
The town said the map was “the most efficient way to reach as many Jasperites as possible,” though it notes even structures that appear to be undamaged from the street may have damage inside or around the back of the property.
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Around 30 per cent of all structures in the townsite, or 358 of 1,113, were destroyed.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to everyone who experienced losses. We are here to support the entire community of Jasper,” Alan Fehr with Parks Canada said in a statement.
“We are stronger together and I have never been prouder of Parks Canada and the municipality of Jasper for their response to the most devastating wildfire in a Canadian national park’s history. Our thoughts are with you, your families, and all residents and business operators during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Jasper Park Lodge, the ski resort at Marmot Basin, and Jasper SkyTram are among the structures that appear to have survived undamaged.
With the fire still threatening the town, Mounties continue to limit access to the townsite to incident staff and critical contractors.
Crews also continue to work to restore power throughout the town.
1,180 evacuees register in Edmonton
The fires prompted a massive evacuation process from the park late Monday night.
A total of 25,000 people, including residents, seasonal workers and tourists, escaped the area, many of them through B.C.
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The province set up reception sites for evacuees in Grande Prairie, Calgary, and Edmonton.
On Sunday, the Edmonton site reported 1,180 evacuees had registered and 438 households had received accommodation.
Some residents were also forced to flee the area late Monday night and were unable to bring their pets along.
Twenty-six pets have registered at the Edmonton reception centre, while Parks Canada says 15 pets have been rescued from the townsite so far.
The Hinton and District SPCA donated its van and is providing shelter and food for those animals until they are reunited with their families.
mblack@postmedia.com
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