Madeline Smith - 25m ago - Edmonton Journal
Parks Canada officials are issuing stern warnings about illegal drone use after drones flying near the Chetamon Mountain wildfire grounded eight helicopters fighting the blaze Tuesday.
The Chetamon wildfire, about 15 kilometres east of the Jasper townsite, is currently estimated to cover about 5,500 hectares, down from 6,150 hectares on Tuesday.
In a Wednesday update, Parks Canada fire management officer Katie Ellsworth said drone operation is illegal in national parks without a permit, adding drones recently interrupted crews dropping water from helicopters to suppress the fire burning 15 kilometres from the Jasper townsite.
“This means that critical fire suppression operations were halted, in this case it was for approximately an hour, in the middle of the peak burning period, so we were no longer able to conduct our fire operations,” she said.
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“If this activity occurs during a very active wildfire day, it could result in an increase of fire behaviour. It can result in the injury or death of a firefighter, and if there is an interaction between a drone and a helicopter while they’re flying, it can be catastrophic to the pilot and to the helicopter.”
According to Parks Canada, the drone operators will be charged. Flying a drone in a park illegally can come with a fine of up to $25,000.
The Chetamon wildfire is currently estimated to cover about 5,500 hectares, down from 6,150 hectares on Tuesday. But Ellsworth said it still isn’t under control, and fire activity is expected to increase in the coming days.
“We have been able to, with the reduction in fire behaviour, have firefighters on the ground laying hose line and hot-spotting and suppressing those active areas on the fire that are closest to our populated areas,” Ellsworth said.
There’s still no risk of the fire spreading to the Jasper townsite, but it has damaged at least 18 power transmission structures. ATCO has been gradually shifting to generator power, and restored power to about half the town as of Tuesday night.
But Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said the other half of the town of about 4,600 people has been without power for more than 50 hours.
He again urged visitors to stay away for now.
“We are not able to welcome visitors to Jasper until we are connected to the main power grid.”
According to ATCO’s Amanda Mattern, that will take some time. Crews are still assessing the full scope of damage to power lines.
“We are weeks, not days, out from rebuilding that transmission infrastructure,” she said.
Mattern and Ireland reminded residents and businesses to keep conserving power while they’re relying on generators.
masmith@postmedia.com
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