Many hiking trails in Jasper were still closed when I visited the park last November, and a monumental effort will be required to reopen them. Park infrastructure was destroyed, and millions of taxpayer dollars will be required to rejuvenate the park infrastructure and trails— it’ s that bad. Never mind the $ 880 million in insured losses from the wildfire that destroyed thirty per cent of the Jasper townsite.
The Jasper Park Lodge layout is a prime example of a FireSmart program, prescribed or otherwise, that worked quite well. Parks Canada should take a page from the layout of the lodge, bounded by two lakes, the Athabasca River, and golf course fairways that served as fireguards. The principles behind this layout can be applied around the Jasper townsite and park infrastructure to better mitigate wildfires going forward.
The pine trees will grow back. What about the rest of Jasper as we used to know it?
Damaged car found in the Jasper residential area
Duane Radford is familiar with issues related to wildfires, having worked on an Alberta Forest Service fire suppression crew in the Crowsnest Forest. To help pay his way through university, Duane served as a member of the“ fire control” staff as well as a spare towerman for the Athabasca Forest.
Our thoughts are with ARTA members and all other residents of Jasper as they work to rebuild their homes and community. If you would like to support the recovery efforts, please visit redcross. ca.
Equipment damage as a result of the wildfire Burnt pay phone at Wapiti campsite
SUMMER 2025 | 19