What is the name and location of the wildfire?

The Chetamon Mountain wildfire is burning in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada as of July 29, 2024 [1][2]. It’s active approximately 370 km (230 miles) west of Edmonton. The fire has forced evacuations from the park and the nearby town of Jasper.

On July 23rd, roads became clogged with evacuees as skies became smoky throughout the day [3].

There are hundreds of wildfires currently active in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, impacting air quality for millions of Canadians and Americans.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The areas affected by the wildfire include Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper, which has 4,700 residents. The fire has burned about a third of the town as of July 29, though critical infrastructure has been protected [4].

The fires have also caused disruptions in travel routes and impacted the neighboring province of British Columbia, particularly the village of Valemount.

There’s hazardous to unhealthy for sensitive groups levels of air pollution in multiple western cities, including:

• Billings, Montana
• Bismarck, North Dakota
• Boise, Idaho
• Calgary, Alberta
• Denver, Colorado
  
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Medford, Oregon
• Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

The wildfire is not yet contained and has burned about 79,000 acres, or 123 square miles - however, progress was made in creating a control line and protect the town of Jasper on Sunday, July 28. Authorities have described the situation as evolving and dynamic, with multiple wildfires burning in the area. Parks Canada and other agencies are actively assessing and responding to the fires.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Yes, evacuation orders have been issued for the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park. Residents and visitors were given five hours to evacuate and were instructed to take essential items. Evacuees were directed to centers such as the Jasper Activity Centre, Forest Park Hotel, and Maligne Lodge.

Emergency alerts advise avoiding the area and following directives from local authorities.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.