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Home proximity factor in Jasper wildfire spread, other reduction measures successful: reports
A federal report attributes the rapid wildfire spread near Jasper to three lightning strikes and factors like drought and pine beetle damage, burning 358 structures, officials said.
- On July 22, 2024, three lightning strikes ignited fires that merged 23 kilometres south of Jasper, Alta., forcing 25,000 people to evacuate Jasper National Park, the federal report released Tuesday says.
- Drought and hot weather produced minimal rainfall and record-high temperatures, while a mountain pine beetle infestation left tinder-dry trees and 25 kilometres of continuous mature conifers increased fuel loads, the report says.
- Within minutes, flames reached treetops forming crown fires, embers the size of a computer mouse ignited structures, and winds reached up to 200 kilometres per hour.
- Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said, `We will have to comb through them & but we will use them to full advantage as we move forward with Parks Canada to continue to prepare the community for what could be the next inevitable wildfire`,” reflecting proactive mitigation efforts and future planning.
- Both reports explicitly avoid blame but note more prescribed burns would have helped; political tensions remain as Premier Danielle Smith criticized federal timing, while Municipality of Jasper stood by its report earlier this year.
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Edmonton Journal+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Parks Canada releases two reports on Jasper fire confirming cause, development
Two new reports on last year's devastating wildfire in Jasper confirm the blaze was caused by lightning and accelerated by "tornado-force fire-generated" winds and dry conditions.
·Edmonton, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources9
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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