Jasper wildfire complex now under control: Parks Canada

The wildfire that burned a third of the buildings in Jasper, Alta., to the ground is now under control, Parks Canada officials announced Saturday.

"That means that the wildfire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread outside the defined perimeter of the fire," Landon Shepherd, a Parks Canada incident commander, told reporters. 

The wildfire perimeter is an estimated 278 kilometres, while the area is estimated to be at 32,722 hectares.

Smoke and flames will still likely be visible inside the fire's perimeter into early winter, Parks Canada says.

"This announcement of getting us to being under control in under seven weeks from the fire starting is a significant achievement," Shepherd said. 

"It wouldn't have been possible without the deliberate and joint efforts under our unified command with the Municipality of Jasper."

Others expressed relief with the fire being brought under control. 

"I want to thank you all so much, and to all the wildland firefighters who worked on this fire, it is incredibly reassuring to know that the fire is now under control," Mathew Conte, Jasper fire chief, said Saturday. 

"We are very grateful for the collaboration and it has only reinforced our commitment … to work together."

Conte lost his home in Cabin Creek to the wildfire in July.

Shepherd said the next order of business is continuing the work of making sure that roads, day-use areas, and facilities affected by fire are safe from fire-weakened trees. 

He added that the work is important as hot and dry weather conditions are expected to continue in the park. 

In terms of a timeline for complete recovery, Shepherd said there is still work to be done in terms of repairing critical infrastructure before Parks moves into secondary recovery priorities.