Category Archives: Forest Fires

The first bus tours into a partially-burned Jasper went ahead Monday morning, as officials from multiple levels of government, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, attended briefings in nearby Hinton, Alta. According to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, buses left from Hinton and Edmonton Monday, carrying 62 passengers. Another bus, from Valemount, B.C., will leave on Wednesday. A total of 563 people have registered. Media are not permitted on the tours. Priority is being given to those whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the wildfire that ripped through the town more than a week ago. Residents are not allowed to leave the bus during the tour for safety reasons. Trudeau attended a technical presentation with Smith and Mike Ellis, Alberta’s minister of public safety and emergency services, Monday morning.

Battles against wildfires near Nordegg continued over the weekend. There are currently two wildfires classified as out of control in the western portion of the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, according to an update from Alberta Wildfire on Monday. A wildfire referred to as RWF064, located 12 kilometres northwest of the Ram Falls Provincial Park boundary and 25 kilometres south of Nordegg, remains classified as out of control. This wildfire is now estimated to be 6,996 hectares in size. “Firefighters and heavy equipment continue work on building containment lines around RWF064, maximizing use of natural features in the area,” states Alberta Wildfire’s most recent update. “Thanks to the favourable weather, crews are making good progress on containment and suppression efforts. Helicopters will continue to support with strategic bucketing operations, as conditions allow.”

MANNING PARK, BC — The Calcite Creek fire, burning near the eastern edge of Manning Park, produced a pyrocumulonimbus cloud Sunday afternoon which generated thunder and lightning strikes. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the phenomenon is not uncommon on large, intense wildfires. “It is something that we see. That fire was burning rank four, so a crowning fire through the canopy, and when a fire burns that hot, one of the things that we can see is that it starts to generate its own weather,” said Taylor Shantz, a fire information officer. The fire is officially listed as 4,100 hectares in size, but Shantz said that is likely an underestimate because the weather being generated by the fire made it difficult for aircraft crews to clearly see the perimeter.

VICTORIA — Authorities issued an evacuation order Saturday night for 16 properties in a rural area south of Princeton, B.C., because of the out-of-control Calcite Creek wildfire. The properties are located near Highway 3 along the Pasayten Forest Service Road, about 40 kilometres south of Princeton, while alerts were issued for nearby properties at Eastgate and Placer Creek. The province’s Wildfire Service reports eight fires of note in B.C.’s southern regions, including the Dogtooth wildfire south of Golden, which has destroyed 15 structures; the Dunn Creek wildfire located about 100 kilometres north of Kamloops; the Sitkum Creek wildfire northeast of Vernon; and the Shetland Creek Wildfire near Lytton. A wildfire four kilometres south of the Canada-U.S. border at Oroville, Wash., started Saturday and is visible from nearby Osoyoos, B.C. …Officials say there are 333 active fires across B.C., with preparations underway for more lightning-triggered blazes over the coming days.

Crews in Jasper continue to battle hot spots Thursday as the massive fire nearby continues to rage out of control, with temperatures forecast to steadily rise into the weekend. “Fire activity is anticipated to increase during the peak burning period in the afternoon,” an update from Parks Canada reads, listing the size of the fire as 32,500 hectares. “We are entering a period of hotter drier weather, and the fire is anticipated to become more dynamic.” Midday temperatures in Jasper were around 21 C though those were expected to rise throughout the day to a high of 30 C, with a high of 32 C forecast for Friday by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The department expects temperatures to remain near 30 C through Saturday and Sunday, with showers forecast for late Sunday and throughout Monday.

Smoke in Central Alberta is coming from one of five wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House area. One of those fires is still being classified as out of control. This fire is located approximately 5 km west of the Forestry Trunk Road (highway 734), 19 km northwest of the Ram Falls Provincial Park boundary and 30 km south of Nordegg. This fire is estimated to be 1,400 ha in size. Due to high temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions, the fire experienced growth to the east and north perimeter yesterday. Due to intense fire behaviour and safety concerns for our firefighters, crews could not work on this fire yesterday afternoon. Heavy equipment operated through the night while the fire behaviour was low, along the southwest perimeter with the goal of heading southeast.

The fast-moving Jasper, Alta., wildfire was fuelled by a web of extreme conditions that converged into what experts described as a monstrous fire, serving as a disastrous example of what’s become increasingly common across Canada’s boreal forest. What has happened in Jasper National Park is a “microcosm of what we’re seeing across Western Canada,” said wildfire risk expert and former Parks Canada wildland firefighter Mathieu Bourbonnais. More than 20,000 people in and around the Rocky Mountain townsite were ordered to evacuate last Monday. …Questions and accusations have followed, including from critics who argue Parks Canada and other government agencies did not do enough to protect Jasper. …Wildfire expert Mike Flannigan says the major drivers of the fire were a confluence of several extreme conditions. Drought in Western Canada combined with a roughly three-week stretch of hot temperatures to dry out the vegetation in the forest.

CHERRYVILLE, BC – The Sitkum Creek wildfire burning near Sugar Lake remains much the same, Wednesday. BC Wildfire Service still has the fire classified as out of control, meaning it is expected to spread beyond its current boundary. The fire has been mapped at 1,993 hectares since Thursday July 25. BCWS says heavy equipment is continuing to support 34 personnel to build a machine guard along the west flank, closest to structures. On Monday, the Regional District of North Okanagan eased some evacuation orders and alerts for the area. Evacuation orders remain in place for lands east of Sugar Lake, though 1616, 1622 and 1630 Sugar Lake Road have been downgraded to an evacuation alert. [END]

Hundreds of British Columbians were able to return home as some wildfire-related evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday, but B.C. fire officials warn that rain will soon be replaced by more heat going into midweek. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says rain and cooler temperatures the past week have made it easier to quell fires, though firefighters remain wary of wind and thunderstorms. “While cooler weather and rain has given us an advantage in many parts of the province, we’re urging people to stay prepared,” B.C. Forests Minister Bruce Ralston said at a news conference Tuesday. “Hot weather will return this summer.” More showers and cooler weather were in the forecast for some parts of the province throughout Monday, giving relief from recent hotter and drier conditions that drove up fire intensity across B.C. But a hot, dry spell is expected to return later this week. 

The Lower Campbell Creek wildfire east of Penticton saw no growth overnight and remains 223 hectares in size, as of July 30. BC Wildfire Service says the blaze — located between Penticton and the communities of Carmi and Beaverdell — is still categorized as out of control. Seven pieces of heavy equipment will continue to support the 48 personnel on-site, BCWS said Tuesday. That’s up from the 24 firefighters who responded to the blaze over the weekend. One helicopter is currently assigned to the wildfire, the provincial service team added. …BCWS says it has established a machine guard along the south and east flanks of the blaze, while crews on Tuesday work on a hose lay for the east flank. Structure protection crews are also on-scene.

VANCOUVER ISLAND — Despite recent rain, the 230-hectare Old Man Lake fire near Sooke is still classified as out of control, although showers overnight Sunday and into Monday reduced the fire’s intensity, a wildfire official said Monday. “This isn’t a significant amount of rain,” Coastal Fire Centre information officer Kimberly Kelly said Monday, noting warming and drying weather is anticipated later this week, which means the fire-danger rating will remain high. The good news is that the wildfire has not grown since the weekend, she said — it remains 230 hectares, or just over two square kilometres. “It’s not that it is burning vigorously. It’s just that the terrain is so steep and challenging for our crews.”

Heavy rains, cool weather, hundreds of wildland firefighters and heavy equipment operators have made strong progress against all major wildfires complexes in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region, with many wildfires now classified as held, under control or extinguished. Progress has been made against wildfires still burning out of control. Alberta Wildfire says the wildfire that caused the evacuation of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation and put Janvier on evacuation notice is now held and no longer spreading. The First Nation ended their evacuation on July 26. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) ended their evacuation warning for Janvier on the same day. An out of control wildfire burning 12 kilometres north of Conklin and south of Highway 881 has not moved towards the community. The complex did not trigger an evacuation warning or order for Conklin. These wildfires are part of the Kettle River Complex. 

Hundreds of British Columbians remain on evacuation order Monday morning as around 360 wildfires burn throughout the province. They include all residents of the village of Slocan, a community of about 380 people in a part of southeastern B.C. where several out-of-control wildfires are burning, including two wildfires of note — fires that are highly visible or are threatening public safety. DriveBC says Highway 6 along Slocan Lake remains closed for a nearly 40-kilometre stretch from south of Slocan to just beyond New Denver to the north. Dan Seguin with the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s Emergency Operations Centre said Monday morning it was a busy weekend for his team, having issued an evacuation alert for Slocan on Saturday that was upgraded to an evacuation order Sunday morning. By the time the order was in place, more than half of Slocan residents had already left, Seguin said. 

JASPER, Alberta — Parks Canada — the lead agency on the firefighting effort — estimated Friday that 358 of the town’s 1,113 structures — about one-third of all buildings — were destroyed. The map released Saturday supports what officials have previously said: west Jasper and southwest of Miette Avenue sustained the brunt of the damage. Entire blocks and rows of buildings and homes were destroyed. One west end neighbourhood was almost incinerated, the map shows. CBC News analyzed the list of addresses, which showed Patricia and Geikie streets, and Cabin Creek Drive, lost the most structures in town. …Satellite images of Jasper, collected Friday night using synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), were provided to CBC News by company Altitude Intelligence.

SLOCAN VALLEY — An evacuation order has been issued for Village of Slocan residents in the West Kootenay region. The village in the Slocan Valley where Slocan Lake turns into the Slocan River is a destination summer tourist spot and has been on evacuation alert for over a week as a series of wildfires threatened the area. On Friday the village of around 300 homes and businesses was quiet, except for local firefighters and those from across Western Canada and Australia present to prevent encroachment from the out-of-control Mulvey Creek wildfire to the west and the Ponderosa fire to the southeast. …According to a Regional District of Central Kootenay statement issued at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday July 27, all village residents must leave by Sunday at 8 a.m. on the advice of the B.C. Wildfire Service. …On Sunday, RDCK spokesperson Dan Seguin said over 1,000 homes were under evacuation order within the Slocan Lake fire complex.

Video and pictures taken inside the Jasper townsite show absolute devastation and destruction caused by wildfires in western Alberta. …Parks Canada said the most significant structural damage is concentrated on the west side of town, southwest of Miette Avenue. The fire also damaged several bridges around the town and throughout the national park, including the Moberly Bridge and the Old Fort Point Bridge. Parks Canada said bridges on the Icefields Parkway will need to be assessed for structural damage as well, which will slow down access to the Maligne Lake and Highway 93. In a video posted online on Thursday morning, the extent of the damage became more apparent. The video shows buildings burned to the ground and scorched vehicles parked on the side of the road. Global News has confirmed the video was taken in the Jasper townsite but it’s not known exactly where in the town the video was captured.

Additional coverage in Orillia Matters, by Canadian Press: Alberta premier says up to half of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire

Employees at Canadian Timberframes near Golden, B.C., had no warning when a nearby wildfire jumped the Columbia River and “barrelled through” as many as five nearby homes, the company said. “The fire was out of control. The winds changed. It came so fast,” said co-owner Stephanie Bowes. The Town of Golden, B.C., confirmed Thursday that the fire burning south of the community had destroyed “several structures”. …The BC Wildfire Service said a trend of cooler weather across much of the province had resulted in a dip in the number of fires burning and allowed crews an opportunity to make progress on some of the 425 active blazes. It’s the first time fire numbers have dropped in weeks. However, the service said the fires of note — those that pose a threat to people or property or are highly visible — had increased to five, with the addition of the Dogtooth fire.

B.C. officials said the wildfire situation in the province is “rapidly evolving,” telling residents they may see more evacuation orders and alerts in the coming days. There are currently around 430 active wildfires, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service… and round 60% of them are considered by the service to be out of control. …”This past week has been difficult for many people and communities, and we are expecting more challenging days ahead,” B.C. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said. Ma encouraged residents who have to evacuate to call their insurance provider once they’re safe and outside the evacuation order area to understand how they’ll cover living expenses. …On Wednesday, stormy weather is expected to continue in the north, and the Interior is forecast to keep seeing strong winds. …Canada will also be receiving firefighting help from Mexico and South Africa, Sajjan said, in addition to crews that have already arrived from New Zealand and Australia.

JASPER, Alberta — Wildfires bearing down on the historic Jasper townsite reached its southern outskirts early Wednesday night as a last-ditch attempt to reroute it failed. Parks Canada reports ‘significant loss’ in the townsite as crews work to save as many structures as possible. The fire was reported to have reached the grounds of the iconic Jasper Park Lodge. Deteriorating air quality forced wildland firefighters and others without self-contained breathing apparatuses to evacuate to Hinton. People who have not left Jasper are told to do so immediately. …The largest fire is estimated to be among the largest in Jasper National Park’s history at 10,800 hectares in size and burning just eight kilometres from the town. Parks Canada officials Wednesday said the smaller, 270-hectare south wildfire moved four kilometres to the north overnight. …Rain is forecast for Wednesday but officials cautioned, “the rain doesn’t count until it’s on the ground.”

Related by the Associated Press: Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies’ largest national park hits the town of Jasper

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland choked up Wednesday night, reflecting on how an evacuation order issued days ago may have saved thousands of lives, while an out-of-control wildfire burned his community. A wildfire had threatened the Alberta mountainside townsite for days from the south, but finally reached it in the evening. Ireland knew little more than the rest of the public Wednesday night about the damage toll, as flames consumed multiple buildings, including the Maligne Lodge and at least the grounds of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. “This is simply our community’s worst nightmare,” Ireland told CBC News. Parks Canada said “significant loss has occurred within the townsite” in a social media post at 10 p.m. MT, but was unable to “report on the extent of damage to specific locations or neighbourhoods at this time.”