Chetamon wildfire ‘will progressively become more intense’: Jasper National Park

The Chetamon Mountain wildfire in Jasper National Park “will progressively become more intense” without more rain, according to officials.

The fire is burning just 22 kilometres north of the Municipality of Jasper.

Cool overnight temperatures coupled with rain Monday calmed the fire enough for firefighters and helicopters to get to two key areas.

“Firefighters laid out sprinklers and hoses in key areas on the south side of the wildfire and helicopters made progress bucketing water on the north side of the wildfire,” an update from Jasper National Park reads.

Crews say the fire covers 6150 hectares of the area, down from previous estimates of more than 8000 hectares.

A map of Wildfire burning in Jasper National Park. (Courtesy of Parks Canada)

“The short-lived relief in behaviour is expected to continue until Wednesday. Without more rain, the wildfire will progressively become more intense in the coming days.”

The Municipality of Jasper says the wildfire does not pose a risk to the townsite.

Power was restored to Jasper’s critical infrastructure, including the hospital, fire hall, and emergency crisis centre Monday afternoon after it was cut off briefly by the fire.

ATCO Electric says it’s working with the town of Jasper as well as Jasper National Park to restore power to other areas.