Fire crews work to put out hotspots in the Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., on July 26.AMBER BRACKEN/The Canadian Press
Fire officials have set up a sprinkler system along the fireguard protecting Jasper, Alta., from further damage, a primary defence mechanism against the blazes that continue to burn out of control nearby.
Parks Canada said in an update Tuesday that it has started debris removal from the picturesque mountain community, which lost about 30 per cent of its structures because of last week’s wildfire.
But continuing safety concerns mean there is no timeline for re-entry yet for the thousands who have been forced to evacuate. Parks Canada has said the fires in Jasper National Park could burn for months.
The devastation prompted a statement from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, expressing their deep sympathy for those affected by wildfires in Western Canada.
“Our thoughts are particularly with those who have lost their homes and property and have had to be relocated,” the Tuesday statement says.
It added: “We are immensely saddened to see the significant damage that has occurred in Jasper – a truly magical place, whose rugged and romantic beauty has captivated Canadians and travellers from around the world.”
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The King and Camilla also commended Canadians who are assisting their neighbours and friends through the difficult period: “From our experience that has always been the Canadian way.”
Joe Zatylny, deputy managing director with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, said Tuesday that, while the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada continue to survey the damage to the townsite, an initial assessment has shown that all critical infrastructure was protected.
The Canadian Red Cross announced Tuesday that it would provide $750 per household to those evacuated from their primary residences in Jasper. People are advised to register with the Red Cross online or by phone; the organization said it would begin distributing funds to eligible households on Wednesday.
About 17,105 Albertans remained displaced from their homes, Mr. Zatylny said. Reception centres are open in Calgary, Grande Prairie and Edmonton for Jasper wildfire evacuees; in Wabasca for Chipewyan Lake evacuees; and Edmonton for Little Red River Cree Nation evacuees.
Rainfall and cooler temperatures across large swaths of British Columbia and Alberta offered some reprieve to those on the frontlines of the wildfires, as several evacuation orders and alerts were downgraded and fire bans lifted.
But authorities in both provinces cautioned residents to remain vigilant and heed fire warnings with hotter temperatures forecasted to return in coming days.
In a wildfire briefing on Tuesday, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said many evacuation orders for the Shetland Creek wildfire in the Venables Valley have been downgraded to evacuation alerts, including for the communities of Ashcroft and Cache Creek. The remaining evacuation orders and alerts for to the Antler Creek wildfire have also been lifted, including for Wells and Barkerville.
As well, campfire bans in the Prince George and Northwest fire centres will be rescinded on Thursday at noon because of the lower fire danger ratings. The BC Wildfire Service had on July 12 issued a fire ban for the entire province with the exception of Haida Gwaii.
Ms. Ma said about 1,350 British Columbians remain under evacuation orders, primarily in the Central Kootenay region, and another 2,800 under evacuation alerts. Evacuees who have registered with Emergency Support Services have the option of accessing self-service supports, including an accommodation allowance of $200 per night, to allow for greater flexibility in choosing where they stay, she said.
In Alberta, wildfire information unit manager Christie Tucker said wildfire danger has been reduced across the northern part of the province because of rain, and that active wildfires fell from 170 last week to 117 on Tuesday. However, wildfire danger continues to be extreme in the southern part of the province.
Alberta had issued a fire ban three weeks ago for its entire forest protection area; the prohibition now only remains in place for the southern and northernmost parts of the province.
Grande Prairie, Edson and parts of the Whitecourt forest area have been downgraded to a fire restriction, which means wood campfires inside provincial campgrounds and on private property are allowed, while Peace River has moved to a fire advisory, meaning some fire permits may be restricted.
“We have changed some of the fire bans in those areas that have seen wildfire danger go down,” Ms. Tucker said. “But in the north and far south of the province, the bans are still in place.”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Grande Prairie.