Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

Trudeau: International Criminal Court push to prosecute Israel and Hamas 'unhelpful'

Trudeau: International Criminal Court push to prosecute Israel and Hamas 'unhelpful'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opted against taking a stance on a push from the International Criminal Court to prosecute the Israeli prime minister and Hamas leaders over the war in the Gaza Strip Tuesday. The court's chief prosecutor requested arrest warrants Monday for Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence minister and senior Hamas leaders.

Trudeau: International Criminal Court push to prosecute Israel and Hamas 'unhelpful'

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers
Retailer London Drugs says it is "unwilling and unable" to pay a multimillion-dollar ransom to cybercriminals who claim to have stolen data in a hacking attack that recently shut down its stores for more than a week. The company says in a statement that the criminals could leak stolen corporate files containing employee information on the dark web, calling the situation "deeply distressing."

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February
Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February. The international law enforcement agency says a total of more than 1,500 vehicles have been identified thanks to the RCMP's decision earlier this year to integrate Canada's database for stolen vehicles with Interpol's.  

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling. A new Leger survey found that almost 30 per cent of Canadians believe food inflation has been primarily caused by grocery stores trying to increase profit margins. Another 26 per cent think it’s mostly due to global economic factors, while one in five blame the federal government

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll

Indian international students most likely to live in unsuitable housing, StatCan says

Indian international students most likely to live in unsuitable housing, StatCan says
The study, which was based on the most recent census data, says Indian students were more likely to live in unsuitable housing than students from other countries. In Brampton, Ont. and Surrey, B.C., the municipalities with the largest proportions of Indian students, more than 60 per cent of international students were living in unsuitable housing.

Indian international students most likely to live in unsuitable housing, StatCan says

Freeland says capital gains proposal will be tabled before summer break

Freeland says capital gains proposal will be tabled before summer break
The Liberal government will bring its proposal to increase the inclusion rate on capital gains to the House of Commons before the parliamentary summer break, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday.

Freeland says capital gains proposal will be tabled before summer break