Conventional firefighting tools were simply no match for a destructive wall of fire that raced toward Jasper last week, ultimately destroying a large portion of the town, officials are now saying.
The fast-moving blaze burned an estimated 15 feet a minute. Towering flames reached 100 metres above the tree line. Burning pinecones and debris were projected a kilometre ahead.
That’s how Parks Canada is describing the fire that destroyed 358 structures in Jasper – 30 per cent of the town.
“There is nothing any human on Earth or any piece of equipment could have done standing in front of that wall of fire that would have allowed them to stop it. It’s just not possible,” said Ron Hallman, president and CEO of Parks Canada.
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the wildfire devastation in the tourist town was not due to a lack of coordination or resources.
All blazes within the community are now out, Parks Canada says. But there is still no timeline on when evacuees can return.
–More coming.