Environment

Although previously classified as being held, the wildfire grew and became more active due to hot temperatures and windy conditions.

Lightning sparked a wildfire in Kootenay National Park

Alberta Wildfire says the Mercoal wildfire was caused by lightning, while the fire near Peers remains under investigation.

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment are responding to the blaze, while Yellowhead County firefighters have been setting up sprinkler protection units in Mercoal and Robb.

"Meltdown: A Drop in Time" opened on May 15 and features 19 pieces from photographers Jim Elzinga and Roger Vernon at the Glacier Gallery.

"It's a really incredible time to visit Jasper, to bear witness to a large natural disaster and to see what it means for the ecology of the park and to understand it is part of the natural cycle of the ecosystem here in Jasper."

In the race to mitigate the damage from future fires, stewards of Alberta's parks have turned to loggers to create fire guards like Carrot Creek.

The decision grants Northback permits to drill and to divert water to the site, which was also a concern raised by farmers in drought-ridden parts of southern Alberta.

“The minimum viable population is 1,500 cougars, so clearly increasing hunting quotas is not going to help address the objectives in the management plan.

“The minister has said it’s not a hunt, but it technically is."