The province is working to give Jasper evacuees a chance to see the toll the wildfires have taken on the community.
According to Parks Canada, the plan was approved by the groups that are part of Unified Command and will be executed by the Government of Alberta. The idea of the tours is to give evacuees some comfort as they process their grief and loss. According to officials, the Resident Bus visits will happen as soon as it is safe to do so.
According to officials crews continue to put up fencing around impacted structures, while debris is being picked up and utility work is continuing in the town’s downtown core. The Canadian Red Cross is also setting up an evacuee reception centre for evacuees in Hinton. According to Parks Canada officials, undamaged items are also being recovered from businesses when it is possible.
As of 9 o’clock last night, the Jasper wildfire complex is estimated to have grown to 39,000 hectares in size, with the majority of the growth on the south end of the fire. Because of the hot and dry weather, officials are expecting that there will be more wildfire growth today.
Alberta Wildfire helicopters began bucketing operations last night.