Jasper National Park is battling a wildfire caused by a Sept. 1 lightning strike/Parks Canada

Parks Canada is asking people to consider delaying trips to Jasper National Park because of the ongoing Chetamon Mountain wildfire.

No communities are at risk from this lightning-caused wildfire in the Alberta mountain park, but a potential long-term power outage means many non-essential community and tourism services — including gas stations, food service and grocery stores — can’t operate.

“While visitors are not being turned back from visiting the park at this time, those who have the ability to be flexible with their travel plans should reconsider them,” Parks Canada said in a statement Monday. “Consider visiting Jasper another day when the wildfire situation subsides.”

Wabasso Campground has been closed because the park can’t provide basic services, and anyone who has been impacted will get a refund. Wapiti and Whistlers campgrounds remain open, but have only limited services (cold water and flush toilets) and campers are encouraged to leave and return another day.

A lightning strike on Sept. 1 started the fire, which Parks Canada estimates to be 6,000 hectares (nearly 15,000 acres). The fire is obscured by smoke making it hard to be precise.

A map outlines where the Chetamon Fire is within Jasper National Park in Alberta/Parks Canada

Parks Canada spent Monday working with the provincial government to “meet mutual objectives to protect public safety, critical infrastructure and other values at risk.” A provincial airtanker lead plane will once again fly over the wildfire to assess the possibility for safe flying conditions for airtanker use of retardant.

The safety of people and critical infrastructure are top priorities. Parks Canada, ATCO and the Municipality of Jasper continue to prepare for various scenarios and prepare for any possible significant changes in wildfire spread and direction.

The wildfire situation develops and changes continuously. Visitors and residents of the town of Jasper should follow updates on social media and recommendations from the town, respect area closures, and follow reduced speed limits.

Current closures include:

• Talbot Lake and Talbot Lake Day Use area are closed to all traffic and travel until further notice as it will be crucial for firefighting efforts in the coming days.
• Snaring and Celestine Lake Roads and surrounding area, including both Snaring and Snaring Overflow Campgrounds are closed until further notice.
• The Jasper Airstrip is now closed to private aircraft access to make room for aircraft operating on the wildfire. Public access to this site is not closed.