Minister of Environment Steven Guilbeault, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other top officials addressed the media Thursday afternoon and provided an update on when residents could expect to return home and the current conditions of nearby wildfires. The Alberta government announced schedules are set to be released soon for bus tours to get wildfire evacuees into Jasper to see what damage, if any, has been done to their homes.
"It is as jarring as ever to be confronted with the reality of the situation," said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland.
For the latest developments on active wildfire counts and maps, evacuation orders, alerts and insight into how wildfires and their smoke are impacting everyday Canadians, scroll below to see our Yahoo News Canada live blog.
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Corné van Hoepen
National wildfire outlook map Aug 2: How many fires are currently burning in Canada?
Active fires in Canada today: 813
The map below details locations of wildfires across Canada and classified by status of:
Red = Out of Control
Yellow = Being Held
Blue = Under control
Purple = Out of Control (Monitored)
New fires today (Aug. 2): 7
Fires to date in 2024: 3,988
Area burned to date in 2024 (HA): 2.8M
For the most up-to-date figures, visit the CIFFC site here.
Key Canada wildfire updates Friday:
🔥 The Jasper Wildfire Complex increased by 7,500 hectares Thursday as temperatures in the area started to heat up.
🔥 The BC Wildfire Service says it now considers eight of the more than 300 fires burning across the province as "wildfires of note," as crews prepare for hot and dry conditions in the south of the province over the upcoming long weekend.
🔥 Firefighters from the Maritimes are heading to Alberta to help battle the wildfires that have ravaged the Jasper area.
🔥 Smoke from western Canada is expected to impact air quality in parts of Ontario over the next several days.
🔥 Shocked by study, residents want more info on how to stay safe from arsenic released by wildfires.
Corné van Hoepen
Jasper officials release map of damaged infrastructure in wake of wildfire
Parks Canada estimates around 30 per cent of Jasper township’s structures were damaged by the initial blaze that swept through the village on July 22.
Amid calls from evacuees for updates on whether their homes were still standing, the Municipality of Jasper released a map to the public, detailing areas that were hardest-hit.
READ MORE: 'Amidst the ashes, life finds a way': Before and after Jasper wildfire photos depict extent of damage to village nestled in Canada's natural crown jewel
"The community of Jasper has structure and landscape losses in our town and surrounding areas. We understand the impact this has, and our hearts go out to those affected. We recognize that this is a traumatic and stressful time for Jasper residents, please find support information for evacuees," city officials state in a press release.
Corné van Hoepen
Five wildfire photos you need to see today: Parks Canada release images of Jasper damage
Corné van Hoepen
Current B.C. wildfire conditions: Extreme heat raises fire threat, historic Barkerville reopens after wildfire evacuation
As temperatures ramp back up across western Canada, so is the number of active wildfires, warns meteorologists from The Weather Network. Active wildfires, reinvigorated by the dry conditions were quite visible on satellite late Thursday.
Due to hot, dry and windy conditions, the Shetland Creek wildfire (K70910) is currently displaying increased fire behaviour on its southwest corner, north of Pasulko Peak. pic.twitter.com/SiJoKLFKhk
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 2, 2024
For current B.C. evacuation orders and alerts, click HERE.
On Friday, the B.C. Wildfire Service is listing 323 active wildfires, with four new blazes sparking over the past 24 hours. The number of wildfires of note is up two from yesterday, bringing the total to eight — most listed in central B.C.
Data shows of the 323 fires burning across the province, 256 were sparked by lightning strikes, 16 as a result of human activity and eight listed as undetermined.
Historic Barkerville reopens after wildfire evacuation
After tourists and residents alike were forced to flee the historic community of Barkerville in B.C.'s Interior 12 days ago, the town reopened Friday.
For current air quality statements and alerts in B.C., click HERE.
Officials ordered the evacuation of the area on July 21 as the Antler Creek wildfire drew near. The order included Bowron Lake, the community of Wells and the historic town of Barkerville — described on its website as the largest living history museum in western North America.
In an update posted Friday, park officials share that the mostly-wooden buildings sustained little damage, thanks to hoses and sprinklers set up throughout the town.
Corné van Hoepen
Latest Jasper wildfire developments: Residents to view damage via bus tours, mayor says
Minister of Environment Steven Guilbeault, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other top officials addressed the media Thursday afternoon and provided an update on when residents could expect to return home and the current conditions of nearby wildfires.
The Alberta government said schedules are set to be released soon for bus tours to get wildfire evacuees into Jasper to see what damage, if any, has been done to their homes.
"It is as jarring as ever to be confronted with the reality of the situation," said the mayor.
Seniors forced to flee to B.C. to return to Alberta
Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon announced that Alberta seniors who were forced to flee to B.C. early last week due to wildfires in Jasper National Park will be brought back to the province on Friday.
When Jasper was evacuated on July 22, many seniors from the local seniors lodge and continuing care medical facilities were taken to Valemount, B.C.
Jasper wildfire grows by 7,500 hectares as weather heats up
The Jasper Wildfire Complex remains out of control and grew approximately 7,500 hectares which now spans a total of over 39,000 hectares, Parks Canada shared in an update on Friday.
More growth is anticipated Friday based on more hot and dry weather.
Officials share photos of damaged infrastructure
The following photos show homes, businesses and community buildings which have experienced significant damage.
“For those who have lost so much, whose homes are gone, whose memories have been turned to ash, whose future remains so uncertain, whose hearts are breaking, my heart breaks with you,” said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland in a Parks Canada statement.
See AlsoB.C. wildfire map 2021: Location and size of the fires burning around the province | Globalnews.caYour guide to B.C. wildfires: Maps, evacuation alerts, air quality and more | CBC NewsBC wildfire: real-time map, news and resources | The NarwhalB.C. Wildfire Map 2023: Updates on fire locations, evacuation alerts/ordersCorné van Hoepen
Current Ontario wildfire conditions: Fire hazard ranges from low to extreme across province, smoke from west moves in
Smoke from out-of-control wildfires blazing across Alberta and British Columbia is drifting east, prompting alerts as air quality in parts of Ontario is set to be impacted.
READ MORE: Can wildfire smoke make you sick? How to stay safe amid air quality alerts, wildfire evacuations in Canada
As of Friday morning, air quality indexes across the province remained classified as low-risk, with the exception of Windsor, Ont where readings were classified as 4 or moderate risk.
For current air quality statements and alerts in Ontario, click HERE.
#Smoke drift from fires in Western Canada is expected to impact #AirQuality in parts of #Ontario over the next few days. Visit https://t.co/xLyWPZIh7j for forecasted smoke conditions. Concerned about health impacts? Contact Telehealth Ontario at 811. pic.twitter.com/zE9ZxpStTf
— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) August 1, 2024
Current wildfire numbers in Ontario
There are currently 47 active wildfires burning across the northern regions of the province, with six being classified as out of control.
The wildland fire hazard is characterized by a scattered mix of low to extreme values across the Northwest Region as of Thursday evening, with the extreme hazard appearing in the western and southern Red Lake sector. The remainder of the region is under a mainly moderate hazard with pockets of low and high hazard appearing across all sectors, according to provincial data.
Check the current wildland fire danger rating in your area on the interactive map.
Corné van Hoepen
National wildfire outlook map Aug 2: How many fires are currently burning in Canada?
Active fires in Canada today: 812
The map below details locations of wildfires across Canada and classified by status of:
Red = Out of Control
Yellow = Being Held
Blue = Under control
Purple = Out of Control (Monitored)
New fires today (Aug. 2): 5
Fires to date in 2024: 3,976
Area burned to date in 2024 (HA): 2.8M
For the most up-to-date figures, visit the CIFFC site here.
Key Canada wildfire updates Friday:
🔥 After tourists and residents alike were forced to flee the historic community of Barkerville in B.C.'s Interior 12 days ago, the town reopened Friday.
🔥 Smoke from western Canada is expected to impact air quality in parts of Ontario over the next several days.
🔥 'I love Jasper': Backcountry campers not deterred by dramatic wildfire rescue.
Corné van Hoepen
National wildfire outlook map Aug 1: How many fires are currently burning in Canada?
Active fires in Canada today: 805
The map below details locations of wildfires across Canada and classified by status of:
Red = Out of Control
Yellow = Being Held
Blue = Under control
Purple = Out of Control (Monitored)
New fires today (Aug. 1): 8
Fires to date in 2024: 3,961
Area burned to date in 2024 (HA): 2.8M
For the most up-to-date figures, visit the CIFFC site here.
Key Canada wildfire updates Thursday:
🔥 Jasper residents will soon get a chance to see their properties that were destroyed in last week's wildfire.
🔥 Heat warnings across B.C. renewing concerns for firefighting crews who gained some reprieve with the recent cool spell.
🔥 Smoke from western Canada is expected to impact air quality in parts of Ontario over the next several days.
Corné van Hoepen
Before and after photos detail Jasper wildfire aftermath
Corné van Hoepen
Jasper wildfire: 'Jarring as ever to be confronted with reality,' mayor says
Minister of Environment Steven Guilbeault, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other top officials addressed the media Thursday afternoon and provided an update on when residents could expect to return home and the current conditions of nearby wildfires.
Government to arrange bus tours of village for residents
The Alberta government said schedules are set to be released soon for bus tours to get wildfire evacuees into Jasper to see what damage, if any, has been done to their homes.
"It is as jarring as ever to be confronted with the reality of the situation," said the mayor.
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Seniors forced to flee to B.C. to return to Alberta
Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon announced that Alberta seniors who were forced to flee to B.C. early last week due to wildfires in Jasper National Park will be brought back to the province on Friday.
When Jasper was evacuated on July 22, many seniors from the local seniors lodge and continuing care medical facilities were taken to Valemount, B.C.
Highway opens to commercial traffic
While out-of-control wildfires continue to burn and smoulder in Jasper, the critical highway route through the national park is reopening on a limited basis to commercial traffic.
Parks Canada allowed access for commercial vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 11,794 kilograms access to Highway 16 for a one-hour period (from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.) Wednesday night.
Heat warnings bring wildfire fight challenges
The update comes as increased wildfire activity is anticipated in the area in the days ahead, with warmer, drier weather conditions on the way.
The Jasper Complex Wildfire remains classified as out of control and is estimated to be 32,500 ha, according to Parks Canada.
⚠️ Jasper Wildfire Complex Update: Current as of 9:30 PM, July 31, 2024 https://t.co/byItH0FYLW
— Jasper National Park, Parks Canada (@JasperNP) August 1, 2024
Parks Canada says sprinklers have been installed on some buildings north of the park's townsite, as fire activity is expected to increase.
Power has been restored to the downtown and crews are working to clean up debris.
Corné van Hoepen
Current B.C. wildfire conditions: Heat warnings spark new wildfire fears
Hundreds of B.C. residents were given the green light to return home after evacuation orders for several wildfires were downgraded, according to reports by CBC News.
"Despite a number of evacuation downgrades, wildfires continue to impact communities across the province," the BCWS said in a situation report updated Wednesday. "The wildfire situation in B.C. is dynamic, and conditions can change rapidly."
On Thursday, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) listed about 336 active wildfires, with 32 declared out in the past 24 hours, while eight new blazes have ignited. About 1,350 people remain under evacuation orders, primarily in the central Kootenay region of southeastern B.C., the wildfire service says.
For current B.C. evacuation orders and alerts, click HERE.
Six wildfires are still regarded as wildfires of note, a designation that means they are highly visible, or pose a threat to public safety.
Two of those fires are burning on the eastern shore of Slocan Lake in the West Kootenay, where a large swath of land, including the entire community of Slocan, remains under evacuation order.
Heat warnings across southern B.C. spark worries
Environment Canada meteorologist Ken Dosanjh told CBC News a ridge of high pressure is building in southern B.C., renewing concerns for firefighting crews.
For current air quality statements and alerts in B.C., click HERE.
Jaedon Cooke with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the weather will dry out fuels on the ground, making it susceptible to new fires and increased fire activity.
"The summer's not over yet," she said. "A return to challenging conditions is a real possibility."
A few photos of the #StoneCanyonFire today. As of tonight, it is 1,548 acres and, for what it’s worth, 20% contained. However, % containment can be misleading. From what I saw and heard, the fire has burned itself out on almost all sides. Only the head is progressing for now pic.twitter.com/0naDxKolMx
— Zach Spindler-Krage (@zspindlerkrage) August 1, 2024
Corné van Hoepen
How Red Cross and GoFundMe are aiding Jasper evacuees
Starting Wednesday, the Canadian Red Cross announced they are offering $750 per evacuated household in Jasper that’s registered with the organization as the extent of the wildfire devastation becomes clearer.
Jasperites can register here.
We will begin distributing funds to eligible households evacuated from their primary residence in Jasper, Alberta. To access this one-time assistance of $750 per household, people must be registered with the Red Cross. pic.twitter.com/P1R5wYxu5l
— Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada) July 30, 2024
In addition to the Canadian Red Cross assistance, GoFundMe has created a dedicated wildfire crisis hub with information, resources, and support for wildfire-related campaigns.
Corné van Hoepen
National wildfire outlook map Aug 1: How many fires are currently burning in Canada?
Active fires in Canada today: 815
The map below details locations of wildfires across Canada and classified by status of:
Red = Out of Control
Yellow = Being Held
Blue = Under control
Purple = Out of Control (Monitored)
New fires today (Aug. 1): 6
Fires to date in 2024: 3,946
Area burned to date in 2024 (HA): 2.7M
For the most up-to-date figures, visit the CIFFC site here.
Key Canada wildfire updates Thursday:
🔥 A fire rampaging through Jasper National Park remains out of control Wednesday, while officials worked to restore power and water in the park's townsite and to hash out a plan for vacationers to retrieve their stranded camping trailers.
🔥 Wildfires devastated Jasper. The soot and ash are putting Alberta's glaciers at risk, scientists warn.
🔥 More evacuations from northeastern Manitoba as wildfire balloons in size.
🔥 A fire information officer for the Yukon government is warning residents that despite cooler weather and significant headway made on current fires, there are still opportunities for more wildfires.
Corné van Hoepen
National wildfire outlook map July 31: How many fires are currently burning in Canada?
Active fires in Canada today: 812
The map below details locations of wildfires across Canada and classified by status of:
Red = Out of Control
Yellow = Being Held
Blue = Under control
Purple = Out of Control (Monitored)
New fires today (July 31): 12
Fires to date in 2024: 3,925
Area burned to date in 2024 (HA): 2.7M
For the most up-to-date figures, visit the CIFFC site here.
Key Canada wildfire updates Wednesday:
🔥 A fire rampaging through Jasper National Park remains out of control as crews work to restore power to the townsite and track down lost pets of homeowners.
🔥 Reopening the Yellowhead Highway through wildfire-ravaged Jasper National Park hinges on preparing security teams to keep travellers out of the town, says the park superintendent.
🔥 More than 1,000 vulnerable residents in northern Manitoba have been sent south as wildfire smoke encroaches on some First Nations communities.
Corné van Hoepen
Five wildfire images you need to see today
Corné van Hoepen
'It’s complex': What were some of the major drivers of the Jasper wildfire?
The fast-moving Jasper, Alta., wildfire was fuelled by a web of extreme conditions that converged into what experts described as a monstrous fire, serving as a disastrous example of what's become increasingly common across Canada's boreal forest," according to reports by Canadian Press.
What has happened in Jasper National Park is a "microcosm of what we're seeing across Western Canada," said wildfire risk expert and former Parks Canada wildland firefighter Mathieu Bourbonnais.
Questions and accusations quickly followed, including from critics who argue Parks Canada and other government agencies did not do enough to protect Jasper.
The reality, says wildfire expert Chris Stockdale to The Canadian Press, is that the fire eludes simple explanations.
“I think the compelling story is that it’s complex,” said Stockdale, a wildfire risk management expert at Canada's Northern Forestry Centre in Edmonton.
What were some of the major drivers of the Jasper wildfire?
Wildfire expert Mike Flannigan tells The Canadian Press the major drivers of the fire were a confluence of several extreme conditions. Drought in Western Canada combined with a roughly three-week stretch of hot temperatures to dry out the vegetation in the forest.
Lightning strikes on Monday night are thought to have lit the sparks that combined with strong winds to fan the flames across a dried-out landscape primed for a major fire, said Flannigan, a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University.
"It's basically a moving monster."
The extreme conditions underlying the wildfire are "consistent with what we expect with climate change," Flannigan said.
Are Canada's wildfire-fighting agencies doing enough prescribed burns?
Indigenous peoples, who were forcibly driven out of what's now known as Jasper in the early 20th century, had a long history of prescribed burns, which also helps reduce the risk of an out-of-control blaze. For many decades now, provincial and federal agencies have suppressed fires across Canada's forests.
Parks Canada eventually reintroduced prescribed burns starting in the 1980s, expanding it to Jasper in 1996, but the scale and frequency of those burns have not made up for years of suppression, a 2022 federal report said.
"We have to start turning that tide I think really, really soon," said Bourbonnais, who's an ex-member of Alberta's disbanded Wildfire Rappel Program.
Corné van Hoepen
Which provinces typically see the most wildfires annually?
Wildfires are most common in Canada's western provinces, but over 2023, the eastern provinces of Nova Scotia, Quebec and parts of Ontario were also left reeling from out of control wildfires, engulfing the provinces in thick, dense smoke.
Below is a map released by Natural Resources Canada showing locations of active wildfires burning across the nation in September of 2023.
How unusual are wildfires in Nova Scotia?
According to reporting by Reuters, Nova Scotia's climate is heavily influenced by the North Atlantic Ocean, which brings higher humidity and more moderate temperatures than many other parts of the country.
Fires are not unusual but tend to be much smaller than those in the west. Most of the wildfires over 2023 are believed to have been accidentally caused by human activity, sparked by extremely warm and dry conditions.
Corné van Hoepen
Current Alberta wildfire conditions: Red Cross offers financial aid to Jasper evacuees
Alberta Wildfire is anticipating warmer temperatures and dry conditions in the southern parts of the province due to lack of rain, leading to “high” or even “extreme” wildfire danger, said Alberta Information unit manager Christie Tucker.
For current Alberta evacuation orders and alerts, click HERE.
There has not been a “significant amount of spread” for some of the larger fires in Alberta, Tucker says. There are currently 114 active wildfires in the province, of which 20 are classified as out-of-control. An estimated 17,105 people remain evacuated from their homes.
International firefighters have touched down over the past week, with Alberta Wildfire confirming some 100 firefighters from Mexico and 200 from South Africa have arrived in the province.
The Fallentimber fire (CWF057) west of Water Valley is now being held, meaning it’s not likely to grow significantly. We’d like to thank all the firefighters and support staff who helped to contain this fire. For more information, visit https://t.co/ojPSsWH0K4 pic.twitter.com/tsv588K2EU
— Alberta Wildfire (@AlbertaWildfire) July 30, 2024
Officials provide no timeline for Jasper evacuee reentry
In the village of Jasper, municipal officials and Parks Canada continue to complete damage assessments, according to Joe Zatylny of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. There was no damage to critical infrastructure.
The evacuation order remains in place for Jasper, with no definite timelines on re-entry.
For current air quality statements and alerts in Alberta, click HERE.
“We continue to work with the local authorities to bring more clarity around that,” Zatylny said. “Re-entry will only be possible once the wildfire situation in the park becomes more safe, and so the local incident command team, they’re actively working on a re-entry plan with all agencies."
Starting Wednesday, the Canadian Red Cross will offer $750 per evacuated household in Jasper that’s registered with the organization. Jasperites can register here.
We will begin distributing funds to eligible households evacuated from their primary residence in Jasper, Alberta. To access this one-time assistance of $750 per household, people must be registered with the Red Cross. pic.twitter.com/P1R5wYxu5l
— Canadian Red Cross (@redcrosscanada) July 30, 2024
Corné van Hoepen
Current B.C. wildfire conditions: Rainfall brings much-needed relief to wildfire situation
The B.C. Wildfire Service says recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have reduced the wildfire risk in the northwest and Prince George Fire Centres, resulting in the lifting of a campfire ban in those areas.
On Wednesday, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) listed about 340 active wildfires, with 44 declared out in the past 24 hours, while three new ones have ignited. About 1,350 people remain under evacuation orders, primarily in the central Kootenay region of southeastern B.C., the wildfire service says.
For current B.C. evacuation orders and alerts, click HERE.
B.C.'s emergency management minister Bowinn Ma said the weather has offered "much-needed relief" to communities and firefighting crews, according to The Canadian Press. Several evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted around the Antler and Shetland creek blazes.
"Despite cooler weather, I want to encourage everyone to continue being vigilant and being prepared," said Ma. "As we know, the wildfire situation can change quickly, and we may see more fires as temperatures warm up again in the coming days."
Barkerville historic park reopening
There are no longer any evacuation orders or alerts for the Antler Creek wildfire, which put more than 100 people out of their homes in the District of Wells and shut down the historic Gold Rush town of Barkerville on July 21.
For current air quality statements and alerts in B.C., click HERE.
"It feels great," said Barkerville manager Stewart Cawood in an interview with the CBCs, noting that the historic site is largely unscathed despite a few "scorch marks" on boardwalks.
"There was no substantial damage to the town, and so we're just very relieved. We're very excited, and the public seems to be excited as well."
Corné van Hoepen
National wildfire outlook map July 31: How many fires are currently burning in Canada?
Active fires in Canada today: 808
The map below details locations of wildfires across Canada and classified by status of:
Red = Out of Control
Yellow = Being Held
Blue = Under control
Purple = Out of Control (Monitored)
New fires today (July 31): 1
Fires to date in 2024: 3,909
Area burned to date in 2024 (HA): 2.7M
For the most up-to-date figures, visit the CIFFC site here.
Key Canada wildfire updates Wednesday:
🔥 Campfire ban lifting in northern B.C. due to cooler weather.
🔥 Shocked by study, residents want more info on how to stay safe from arsenic released by wildfires.
🔥 As rising temperatures fan the blaze that devastated Jasper, crews battling the flames plan to fight fire with fire.
🔥 More than 1,000 vulnerable residents in northern Manitoba have been sent south as wildfire smoke encroaches on some First Nations communities.
