Firefighters brace for renewed battle with Jasper wildfire
CBC
As rising temperatures fan the blaze that devastated Jasper, crews battling the flames plan to fight fire with fire.
Firefighters deployed by Parks Canada are hoping to contain the flames by robbing the fire of fuel.
Ignition specialists are assessing options to burn unburned and partially burned trees near the fire perimeter.
The controlled burns will take place along the edge of the flames. Dozer guards have been dug out in an attempt to break the path of the fire, Parks Canada said in a statement Wednesday.
The operations will help remove fuel from the fire and prevent the fire from breaching control lines — perimeters cut through the forest designed to contain the flames.
The work will only be carried out in "carefully chosen conditions," parks officials said.
Firefighters are bracing for another battle with the wildfire that ripped through Jasper last week, destroying hundreds of structures.
Over 750 personnel are working on the Jasper disaster, parks officials said Wednesday afternoon, and in an effort to free up hotel rooms for Jasper evacuees and alleviate housing pressures within Hinton, Alta., firefighters will be housed at an incident camp starting Wednesday evening.
Work continues to protect critical infrastructure and reduce the remaining risk to the community.
All remaining spot fires that had continued to smoulder in the townsite are now out but the fire continues to burn out of control across a vast stretch of forest to the northeast, east, and southeast of the community.
The fire, likely sparked by lightning, is one in a cluster of three fires being fought as one. In all, they have burned more than 36,000 hectares.
Officials with Parks Canada say increasingly hot and dry weather has begun to fan the flames.
"As expected, we are beginning to see an increase in fire behaviour as weather transitions to hotter, drier, and windier conditions," an update from Parks Canada said Wednesday afternoon. "Thundershowers and wind gusts could create challenging conditions for firefighters who continue to action high priority areas."
Tuesday was hotter and drier than anticipated, resulting in increased fire activity, officials said.
Freezing rain, blowing snow, ice pellets and strong winds are prompting weather alerts for much of eastern Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador punched above its weight in sports, and 2025 gave the province the chance to shine on the national and international stages.
Visitors to Halifax would be forgiven for puzzling over the quirky routes of some of the city's main thoroughfares.
Deborah Ann Badeau listens to Country 94 radio in her small apartment. It’s been nearly a year since she moved into the transitional housing unit, after about six years living in a tent.
The walls and racks of the Accès-Loisirs Québec warehouse are overflowing with everything from hockey jerseys and skis to tennis rackets, sleeping bags, soccer cleats and even a few guitars.
Manitoba's government appears to be making progress in its commitment to expand spinal care capacity, but it's not happening fast enough for some patients, who want the province to reduce the barriers to getting out-of-province care.
Chief Cam McBride acknowledges crime has declined even as spending on police will rise to one-quarter of the city’s budget next year.
Two athletes from Prince Edward Island are one step closer to the Olympics after being selected for funding and accelerated development through the Canadian Olympic Committee’s official talent search program, RBC Training Ground.
Hamilton's new rules intended to improve apartment building conditions will roll out Jan. 1.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a yellow rainfall and wind warning for Windsor-Essex.
As Jillian Popplow packed away dozens of T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase “sex, drugs & lobster rolls,” she questioned what would become of the quirky tees.
Framed art pieces practically cover the walls of Peter Marsh’s home in Scarborough
Crews had nearly finished dealing with the aftermath of Boxing Day's freezing rain when heavy rain and strong winds hit London on Sunday.