EDMONTON — Wildfire evacuees from Jasper, Alta., whose homes were destroyed or damaged last week, were able to start registering online Friday for bus tours of the burned townsite.
However, when the tours would take place was still undecided.
Officials with Jasper National Park said an out-of-control fire in the area had grown by about 75 square kilometres, to 390 square kilometres, and was set to expand further.
New growth was expected because of hot and dry weather in the forecast.
Thousands of people fled the town and park last week due to the fire, which eventually spread into the community and destroyed one-third of its buildings.
Crews aided by helicopters have been working to extinguish hot spots around the community and near the water treatment plant.
Alberta's Minister of Public Safety Mike Ellis told reporters Friday that bus tours would at first only be available for those whose homes were destroyed or damaged. But the tours won't happen until it is safe.
He said those on the bus won't be able to get off in the town, as there is still debris and there's a possibility of smouldering embers in some spots.
"We must maintain the safety of all those entering the park, and we will only proceed when it is safe to do so," Ellis said.
"And, of course, we want to ensure that there is contingency plans in case we run into any unfortunate conditions."
After registering for a tour, Ellis said evacuees would be contacted with more information. Those looking to register can do so on the Alberta government's website.
Highway 16, the main road through Jasper National Park, was briefly closed to all traffic Friday evening due to what Parks Canada called extreme fire activity. Officials later said crews had managed to suppress roadside fire activity, and that facilitated commercial traffic would be able to resume.
The number of active wildfires elsewhere in the province had decreased, said Christie Tucker, a spokesperson for Alberta Wildfires.
Tucker said 18 of the 115 fires were considered out of control. Two near Nordegg, Alta., grew substantially on Friday, she said.
Todd Loewen, Alberta's minister of forestry and parks, said Little Red River Cree Nation, about 750 kilometres north of Edmonton, was aiming to welcome back its 5,500 evacuated residents on Monday.
The First Nation, which includes the communities of Garden River, Fox Lake, and John D'Or Prairie, was evacuated July 20 due to an encroaching fire. Garden River was evacuated 10 days before the other communities.
"Co-ordinators will be reaching out to every family that they can to arrange transportation for those who need it," Loewen said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2024.
Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
