Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

Man carries knife into North Van school

Man carries knife into North Van school
Mounties in North Vancouver are warning the public after a report of a suspicious man allegedly carrying a knife near a North Vancouver elementary school. Police say the incident took place on May 28th outside Westview Elementary and two callers were reported seeing a man carrying what appeared to be a knife near the school. 

Man carries knife into North Van school

Seizure of 43K & drug bust in Kelowna

Seizure of 43K & drug bust in Kelowna
Mounties in Kelowna say a routine traffic stop led to a search warrant for a home, where police found drugs, 43-thousand-dollars in cash, and two handguns. RCMP say officers stopped a vehicle last Friday and found the driver was known to police, with a history of involvement in the drug trade in the Okanagan city.

Seizure of 43K & drug bust in Kelowna

Shoplifting operation leads to over 60 arrests

Shoplifting operation leads to over 60 arrests
Burnaby RCMP say a four-day operation targeting shoplifting at the Metrotown shopping centre led to more than 60 arrests earlier this month. They say 12 of the people arrested had outstanding warrants from across the Lower Mainland, including one person who had been wanted for failure to comply with the province's sex offender registry.

Shoplifting operation leads to over 60 arrests

Court certifies flooding lawsuit against Abbotsford, B.C., as class action

Court certifies flooding lawsuit against Abbotsford, B.C., as class action
A judge has certified a class-action lawsuit alleging destruction in the November 2021 atmospheric river flooding in the Fraser Valley was magnified by improper operations of a pump station. B.C. Supreme Court Justice S. Dev Dley says the lawsuit's allegations against the City of Abbotsford potentially affected a significant number of people in the nearby Sumas Prairie area.

Court certifies flooding lawsuit against Abbotsford, B.C., as class action

Weekend armed robbery ID needed

Weekend armed robbery ID needed
R-C-M-P in Surrey are asking for the public's help in identifying two suspects and a vehicle allegedly involved in an armed robbery last weekend. They say officers were called to a business near the intersection of 120 Street and 92 Avenue, where it was reported that two men came in wearing masks and carrying what appeared to be one long gun and one handgun.

Weekend armed robbery ID needed

B.C. unveils 240-language racism reporting helpline

B.C. unveils 240-language racism reporting helpline
British Columbia has launched a new helpline for people who witness or experience a racist incident, with support available in more than 240 languages. The province says callers will receive support and guidance, which could include referrals to local community support services, such as counselling or help with reporting to police.

B.C. unveils 240-language racism reporting helpline