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

Woman rescued off B.C. glacier calls those who braved smoky conditions 'superheroes'

Woman rescued off B.C. glacier calls those who braved smoky conditions 'superheroes'
Laurence Desjardins says the wind was loud enough to keep her awake through the night as white ash fell around the tent where she was camping with friends on a glacier in B.C.'s West Kootenay region. They knew they had to leave as quickly as possible.

Woman rescued off B.C. glacier calls those who braved smoky conditions 'superheroes'

Animals, like those in Jasper, know how to dodge wildfires, say biologists

Animals, like those in Jasper, know how to dodge wildfires, say biologists
Despite the loss of about a third of the Jasper townsite, including homes and buildings, as well as the sorrow over the destruction of a beloved piece of Canadian landscape, experts say animals know how to protect themselves in a wildfire.

Animals, like those in Jasper, know how to dodge wildfires, say biologists

Wildfire update planned in B.C. as crews battle about 350 blazes

Wildfire update planned in B.C. as crews battle about 350 blazes
British Columbia's minister of emergency management is scheduled to give an update on the wildfire situation today as some areas in the province cool off while others flare. Bowinn Ma and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston will be joined by staff from the province to give an overview of the wildfire trouble spots in B.C. 

Wildfire update planned in B.C. as crews battle about 350 blazes

Third BC United MLA set to go to B.C.'s Conservatives

Third BC United MLA set to go to B.C.'s Conservatives
BC United Leader Kevin Falcon is losing a third member of the legislature to the Conservative Party of British Columbia. BC United's director of communications Adam Wilson says in a statement that Teresa Wat, who represents the riding of Richmond North Centre, has indicated her intention to join John Rustad's B.C. Conservatives.

Third BC United MLA set to go to B.C.'s Conservatives

Parks Canada, Guilbeault defend wildfire preparation policies after Jasper blaze

Parks Canada, Guilbeault defend wildfire preparation policies after Jasper blaze
Parks Canada officials and politicians angrily denied Monday that forest management policies in Jasper National Park contributed to a catastrophic wildfire that damaged one-third of the townsite. Ron Hallman, CEO of the federal agency, said it was "ridiculous" to assert his organization puts a higher value on nature than people.

Parks Canada, Guilbeault defend wildfire preparation policies after Jasper blaze

Internal federal public service report details racism in the Privy Council Office

Internal federal public service report details racism in the Privy Council Office
The Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination obtained the report using the Access to Information Act. It details barriers for employees of colour at the Privy Council Office, the administrative arm of government that serves the Prime Minister's Office and cabinet. The conclusions were based on group discussions and interviews with employees in 2021 and 2022.

Internal federal public service report details racism in the Privy Council Office