Out-of-control Jasper wildfire grows by 7,500 hectares as weather heats up

The Jasper Wildfire Complex increased by 7,500 hectares Thursday as temperatures in the area started to heat up. 

The size of the fire is now estimated at 39,000 hectares. Temperatures in Jasper are forecast to hit a high of 34 C on Friday. 

In a Facebook post Thursday night, Parks Canada said the growth of the fire occurred mostly on the south perimeter. The agency said the fire is expected to grow on Friday due to continued hot and and dry weather conditions. 

The fire is still classified as out of control. 

Alberta Wildfire was scheduled to start using its night vision-equipped helicopter overnight to bucket the fire overnight. 

The heat follows nearly a week of cooler weather which allowed firefighters to put out hotspots in the town of Jasper and set up fireguards and sprinkler systems. 

The fire forced the evacuation of 25,000 visitors and residents from the national park on July 22.

The flames reached the town site two days later, destroying about 30 per cent of structures on the west side.  The fire initially started as two, one encroaching Jasper from the east, the other from the south. The fires eventually joined into one. 

The town of Jasper said bylaw officers are now going into hotels, campgrounds and approved accommodations such as bed and breakfasts to retrieve important documents and medications.  

While officials are working on a plan, they say it still isn't safe for residents to enter the park to see their homes, or campers to retrieve their recreational vehicles. 

The town and Parks Canada have approved a plan to bring residents in on buses to review their properties. However, no date has been announced for this to start as the plan is dependent on the fire. 

Crews are expected to finish setting up perimeter fencing around buildings destroyed by fire on Sunday. 

The Canadian Red Cross is setting up an evacuee reception centre in Hinton, a town to the east of Jasper National Park which has served as the headquarters of the fire's incident command. 

Transport trucks are still allowed to travel through the park along Highway 16 at prescribed times. The road remains closed overnight and at certain times during the day to keep access open for vehicles dedicated to firefighting and recovery efforts.