Two of three wildfires in Jasper’s backcountry have been doused and another is being actively fought by Parks Canada fire crews.

Needle Peak wildfire 

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 a 0.3 hectare wildfire in the western part of Jasper National Park, in the remote Simon Creek drainage in the Whirlpool Valley, was extinguished.

The lightning-caused wildfire was first reported by Parks Canada staff during a smoke flight at 8:30 p.m. on July 18, 2024. Firefighters fought the fire from the ground and with the help of helicopters with buckets, according to officials. 

Ball Hills wildfire

On Saturday, July 20, a 0.2 ha wildfire in the Maligne Lake/Bald Hills area was also fully extinguished. It was also lightning-started, Parks Canada fire communications staff said in a detailed memo. The Bald Hills fire was reported by Parks Canada staff at approximately 8 p.m. on July 19. Bucketing by helicopter occurred within 20 minutes of the report, Parks Canada said.

“On Saturday, a helicopter bucketed the wildfire from small water bodies south of the summit of Bald Hills with support of ground crews,” the memo said.

Utopia wildfire

A third, two hectare fire on Utopia Mountain continues to burn. However the wildfire has not grown or spread significantly since the initial response on July 19, officials said.

“Fire crews are making progress on establishing a controlled perimeter despite hot temperatures and steep terrain,” an update said. “Today crews cleared a helicopter landing spot, set up a portable water tank, removed dangerous trees and cleared access points. 

The fire continues to smoke, smoulder and burn deeply into forest fuels and the soils, according to Parks Canada. There are no immediate threats to the town of Jasper or nearby communities from the Utopia wildfire.

“No significant open flames were observed yesterday, or today, thanks to direct suppression from water bucketing and crews pumping water on to the perimeter.”

Miette Hotsprings temporarily closed

Due to the location of the wildfire (appx 2 kms away), the Miette Hotsprings and Fiddle River Valley backcountry are temporarily closed to the public.

Parks Canada has proactively installed a high-volume sprinkler system to protect the Miette Hot Springs pool facilities, utilities, and Miette Bungalows, officials said. The Miette Road is only accessible to guests and staff at Miette Hot Springs Bungalows, Miette Campground, and Miette Mountain Cabins.

Closed facilities include the Miette Hot Springs pool facilities, the Sulphur Skyline Trail, the Source of the Springs Trail, Ashlar Ridge, Utopia Campground, Slide Creek Campground and Whitehorse Campground.

Current conditions in Jasper National Park are smoky. Smoke is drifting in from wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia. For air quality information, visit Environment Canada’s weather and air quality alerts.

A fire ban remains in effect in Jasper National Park due to the extreme fire danger rating and persistent hot and dry weather.

-Jasper Local staff with files from Parks Canada