Close X
Thursday, September 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Jasper bus tour registration open, limited to evacuees with damaged homes

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Aug, 2024 04:50 PM
  • Jasper bus tour registration open, limited to evacuees with damaged homes

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.

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.

MORE National ARTICLES

Wildfires expected to grow again amid hot, dry weather: Jasper National Park

Wildfires expected to grow again amid hot, dry weather: Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park says wildfires in the area have grown by thousands of hectares and are set to expand further on Friday. The park says the wildfire remains out of control and has grown by about 7,500 hectares, bringing it to about 39,000 hectares.

Wildfires expected to grow again amid hot, dry weather: Jasper National Park

Canada finishes space launch negotiations with the United States

Canada finishes space launch negotiations with the United States
The agreement, which is yet to be signed, will establish the legal and technical safeguards needed to use U.S. space launch technology, expertise and data for launches in Canada.

Canada finishes space launch negotiations with the United States

SPCA seizes over 40 dogs near Prince George

SPCA seizes over 40 dogs near Prince George
The S-P-C-A says animal protection officers have seized more than 40 German shepherds including a dozen puppies from breeder southeast of Prince George. Marcie Moriarty, chief of protection and outreach services, says the dogs were living in "horrible" conditions in outdoor kennels covered in urine and feces.

SPCA seizes over 40 dogs near Prince George

Parole granted in double murder of 2 females

Parole granted in double murder of 2 females
A man convicted in the notorious double murder of two women in Tsawwassen in 1990 has been granted full parole. The decision was made following a parole board hearing for Derik Lord, who was 17 at the time of the murders and has always maintained his innocence.

Parole granted in double murder of 2 females

Eight people charged after drug-trafficking investigation in B.C.'s Lower Mainland

Eight people charged after drug-trafficking investigation in B.C.'s Lower Mainland
A statement from B.C.'s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says the investigation began in Langley in December 2022 and expanded as investigators determined the suspects were connected to "gang and organized crime activity."

Eight people charged after drug-trafficking investigation in B.C.'s Lower Mainland

Canadian news engagement down significantly one year after Meta's ban: study

Canadian news engagement down significantly one year after Meta's ban: study
The Media Ecosystem Observatory study published today finds that Canadians’ total engagement with news content on social media has been reduced by 43 per cent, despite efforts to increase social media engagement on other platforms.

Canadian news engagement down significantly one year after Meta's ban: study