Crews spent Tuesday morning placing two kilometers of hoses and sprinklers along the southern perimeter of the Chetamon Wildfire, about 15 kilometers north of the town of Jasper. More pipes and launchers were set up at the nearby Snaring Campground and “critical infrastructure” near the mountain town.
Meanwhile, fire experts were able to safely fly around the perimeter of the fire and update its size to 5,500 hectares, down from an estimated 6,150 hectares that morning. And eight helicopters spent the early hours of Tuesday covering the remote northern edge of the fire.
But all aircraft were grounded in the afternoon due to two illegal drones.
Not only is the use of drones prohibited in Canada’s national parks without a permit, drones are considered an additional hazard for aircraft operators to consider when fighting fires, in addition to dense smoke, high winds, large flames at lower elevations and dynamic airspace .
“While both drone operators will be charged, this activity threatens the safety of first responders and significantly delays efforts to protect people and vital infrastructure. The aircraft will resume bucketing water on Wednesday and Parks Canada appreciates the assistance of the public by promptly reporting this dangerous and illegal drone use,” Parks Canada said in a statement Tuesday night.
In total, three drone operators have been reported flying over the Chetamon Wildfire. The first was reported along Highway 16, the main route through the national park, on September 4.
“The careless use of drones in this area poses an immediate threat to the lives and well-being of our firefighting teams: in the air and on the ground,” Jasper National Park officials said.
“Drone users who violate Parks Canada regulations, especially the airspace near the Chetamon Fire, and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
Drone operators face fines of up to $25,000.
Residents and park users are asked to report illegal activity to park dispatch at 780-852-6155.
The latest information on Jasper National Park closures is available online.
