Rain helps rescuers battle fire in Canadian town

Published July 27, 2024
SMOKE rises from a wildfire burning in Canada’s Jasper National Park after it devoured more than half of a town in western Canada.—AFP
SMOKE rises from a wildfire burning in Canada’s Jasper National Park after it devoured more than half of a town in western Canada.—AFP

OTTAWA: Steady rain is helping firefighters working to contain a massive wildfire that has devastated parts of the western Canadian tourist town of Jasper, authorities said on Friday.

Jasper is in the middle of mountainous Jasper National Park in the province of Alberta. A huge fast-moving fire has damaged or destroyed up to half the town’s structures.

Parks Canada said bet­w­een 10 mm and 15 mm of rain had fallen on Thurs­day. “This precipitation will likely keep fire behaviour low for the next 72 hours,” it said in a statement.

“Crews will take advantage of this time to make as much progress as possible to suppress the wildfire and reduce further spread. While rain in Jasper is a welcome sight, warm wea­ther is forecast and will increase wildfire activity.”

Authorities have so far declined to give specific details of how many buildings were lost in Jasper, which normally has a population of around 5,000. Video posted to social media showed entire blocks had been burned to the ground.

The town and park, which draw more than 2 million tourists a year to this area of the Rocky Mountains, were evacuated on Monday, when officials estimated there were up to 10,000 people in the town and a further 15,000 visitors in the park.

Late on Thursday, authorities said crews had managed to protect all of Jasper’s critical infrastructure. This included the hospital, schools and a wastewater treatment plant.

The Jasper Park Lodge, one of the largest hotels in town, said it had suffered some damage but most structures remained standing and intact. The 400-room residence is run by Fairmont, a group owned by France’s Accor.

The Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which can carry 890,000 barrels per day of oil from Edmonton to Vancouver, runs through the park. The operator said on Thursday there were no signs of damage.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...