Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper said an early morning infrared scan of the town via helicopter was planned for Sunday in an effort to better identify any areas where the flames had yet to be extinguished
Crews in the Jasper townsite continue work Sunday morning to put out hot spots as a massive out of control wildfire continues to rage nearby and could become more active as area temperatures begin to climb again.
In a joint update posted Saturday evening, Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper said an early morning infrared scan of the town via helicopter was planned for Sunday in an effort to better identify any areas where the flames had yet to be extinguished.
“Visible structural hot spots within the town of Jasper have been extinguished. Firefighters continue to patrol for any fire activity with warmer weather and stronger winds,” the update reads.
Crews are also relocating structural protection sprinklers from areas that have been burnt out to form a new fire perimeter.
Bulldozers are preparing to put protection lines around the north end of the community and to help reduce spread west of the community on the lower slopes of Whistlers mountain.
The townsite has seen temperatures in the mid-teens for most of the past few days along with a run of rain that has helped limit fire growth and allows crews to make progress.
However, Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting warmer weather for the week ahead with high temperatures reaching into the mid 20s by mid-week and rising into the high 20s by next weekend.
Outside of a chance of showers on Monday, the forecast indicates limited precipitation in the days afterwards.
The initial fire is thought to be caused by lightning and was propelled towards the townsite at a rapid rate by winds gusts that exceeded 100 km/h.
The federal and provincial governments have agreed to each match donations to the Canadian Red Cross supporting wildfire disaster relief, effectively tripling any donations coming from the public.
Damage revealed
Late Saturday, the municipality published a map and list of all properties indicating if they were still standing and if they had visible damage.
Some structures are still standing on the same block where other homes, in some instances next door, have been destroyed.
The City says the map was “the most efficient way to reach as many Jasperites as possible,” though it notes even structures that appear to be undamaged from the street may have damage inside or around the back of the property.
Around 30 per cent of all structures in the townsite, or 358 of 1,113, were destroyed.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to everyone who experienced losses. We are here to support the entire community of Jasper,” Alan Fehr with Parks Canada said in a statement.
“We are stronger together and I have never been prouder of Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper for their response to the most devastating wildfire in a Canadian national park’s history. Our thoughts are with you, your families, and all residents and business operators during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Jasper Park Lodge, ski resort at Marmot Basin, and Jasper SkyTram are among the structures that appear to have survived undamaged.
1,180 evacuees register in Edmonton
The fires prompted a massive evacuation process from the park late Monday night.
A total of 25,000 people, including residents, seasonal workers and tourists, escaped the area, many of them through B.C.
The province set up reception sites for evacuees in Grande Prairie, Calgary, and Edmonton.
On Sunday, the Edmonton site reported 1,180 evacuees had registered and 438 households had received accommodation.
Some residents were also forced to flee the area late Monday night and were unable to bring their pets along.
Twenty-six pets have registered at the Edmonton reception centre, while Parks Canada says 15 pets have been rescued from the townsite so far.
The Hinton and District SPCA donated its van and is providing shelter and food for those animals until they are reunited with their families.