Cooler weather and light rain have helped minimize the spread of the Jasper wildfire complex and allowed crews to make progress in fighting the wildfire.
Parks Canada reported the wildfire experienced slight growth on Sunday (Aug. 4), but its size continues to be estimated at 34,000 hectares.
Rain and cooler temperatures forecasted for Monday (Aug. 5) are expected to provide further relief. Jasper is expected to get five to 10 millimetres of rain and up to 20 millimetres in some areas.
“Although this will not stop fire activity, it will minimize intensity and provide optimum conditions for firefighters to progress in fire suppression work,” Parks Canada stated.
Crews are working to secure the north end of the fire perimeter and clean up hot spots at Lake Edith and Moberly Bridge.
Hot spots along Pyramid Bench have been extinguished, and the Canadian Armed Forces are patrolling the area to ensure there are no further fire threats from these locations adjacent to the townsite.
Firefighters continue to put out hot spots and are implementing structural protection on facilities within 15 kilometres of the active fire perimeter.
Parks Canada stated a limited number of critical and retail services were working in designated zones within the townsite during a limited time.
This allows for initial damage assessment to prepare for resuming services.
Hazard mitigation and debris removal on private properties is ongoing, and crews continue to work at restoring utility services.
Parks Canada has been allowing supported access to the townsite for critical and retail services to allow for assessments, and residents whose homes were damaged were given a chance to view the townsite by bus.
Highway 16 was also opened for evacuees to travel from British Columbia to Alberta, with RCMP escorting them during scheduled times.
Evacuees were not allowed to stop along the way or go into the townsite.
