Wildfires expected to grow again amid hot, dry weather: Jasper National Park

JASPER, Alta. – Jasper National Park says wildfires in the area have grown by thousands of hectares and are set to expand further on Friday.

The park says the wildfire remains out of control and has grown by about 7,500 hectares, bringing it to about 39,000 hectares.

It says the new growth was expected and primarily on the south end of the fire.

The park is anticipating more growth Friday because of expected hot and dry weather.

Crews aided by helicopters have been working to extinguish hot spots around the community and near the water treatment plant.

Thousands of people fled the town and park last week due to the fire, which eventually spread into the community and destroyed one-third of its buildings.

Feature image: Firefighters work in Jasper, Alta., on Friday, July 26, 2024. Wildfires encroaching into the townsite of Jasper forced an evacuation of the national park and have destroyed over 300 of the town’s approximately 1100 structures, mainly impacting residential areas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken