We understand that there is concern and uncertainty in our communities due to the ongoing wildfire situation up across the Division.

Please know: every decision we make is with staff and students' health and safety as our top priority, and we will continue to try and mitigate any potential risk to our staff and students.

The Division's Leadership Team, including school principals, meets at least once daily to review current information from Emergency Operations on what is best for our students and staff's well-being. We do not take lightly the care and trust our families have placed in us.

Based on the information provided by Emergency Services this afternoon, we are closing schools in Evansburg, Wildwood, Niton Junction, Fulham, Edson, Hinton, and Grande Cache for the remainder of this week. Today's Edson Forest Update, with additional fires across Alberta and BC, continues to show that heavy smoke and winds may cause poor visibility and that we can expect wind directions to fluctuate rapidly across many of our communities. We have been advised that heavy smoke and poor air quality, especially in the mornings, are expected to continue until later in the week for all GYPSD communities.

Subject to new information, schools in Jasper will remain open, but there will be no outside activities for students. Families are advised to be prepared for this to change if circumstances warrant.

We understand that not everyone will agree with these decisions, but we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of staff and students.

Please continue to keep updated through school and Division notices by email, Facebook pages, and websites on the wildfires and how they may affect school and central office operations.

Take care and stay safe.