Fire protection and restoration projects

Jasper National Park

Portions of Jasper National Park remain closed or affected due to impacts from the Jasper Wildfire. Please check for up to date information.

Parks Canada is committed to restoring fire to the landscape, benefiting communities and ecosystems. Wildfires are a natural part of forest ecosystems. They contribute to improve forest health and reduce the long-term risk of wildfire to communities. Historical fire suppression has caused a significant decline in ecosystem health and diversity of species within the mountain national parks.

Public safety is at the core of everything that we do. We take the threat of wildfire seriously and fire protection is part of our daily operations. We take actions to reduce the potential impacts of a wildfire while improving forest health. Below you will find information on fire protection and restoration projects within Jasper National Park.

Wildfire risk reduction and FireSmart projects

Newsletter date	Details
December 20, 2024	External link: Wildfire risk reduction work resumes Plain text version Parks Canada is continuing wildfire risk reduction efforts in Jasper National Park this winter. Reducing the risk of wildfire to a community involves a collaborative approach with layers of protection on the landscape and in town to reduce the risk of wildfire. We know that wildfire risk reduction is top of mind which is why we are providing updates on progress being made to further reduce risk to the town. Parks Canada continues to work in partnership with the Municipality of Jasper on FireSmarting and improving fire resiliency on critical infrastructure. Residents can also contribute by FireSmarting and making changes that are in line with updated Jasper development policies. The FireSmart Home Development Guide has information on how to design or retrofit buildings and yards to provide protection from fire. Following the 2024 Jasper Wildfire, Parks Canada is adapting its wildfire risk reduction strategy to address ongoing risks posed by the altered landscape. Using an integrated approach, these actions are part of a multi-year risk reduction commitment to increase wildfire resiliency of the Jasper townsite, Outlying Commercial Areas (OCA), critical infrastructure and surrounding provincial lands. Current wildfire risk reduction activities Work is expected to continue through the winter, weather permitting. Crews closely monitor conditions such as snow cover, wind speed and air quality to ensure safe operations. Pine Bungalows area Crews are currently working around the wastewater treatment plant and Pine Bungalows. Activities include felling trees, limbing branches, and burning debris piles on-site to reduce potential fire hazards. Whirlpool area Crews are burning debris piles left from trail-clearing work earlier in the year. Patricia Lake Later this winter, Parks Canada will conduct additional fuel reduction work near Patricia Lake. This work supports the broader FireSmart initiative to create defensible spaces and improve emergency response access. West of town Wildfire risk reduction west of the town of Jasper remains a top priority for Parks Canada. Building upon decades of work, Parks Canada maintains a 2.5 km area of reduced vegetation directly west of town in two main areas: Community Fireguard: A cleared area of about 50 hectares along Cabin Lake fire road that acts as a line of defence for responders controlling a wildfire. Pyramid Bench: In 2018, Parks Canada reduced the amount of dead and dying trees across more than 300 hectares of mountain pine beetle affected forest on Pyramid Bench. This area connects to FireSmart treated areas around town to create a larger protected area to the west of town. The goal of fuel reduction and forest-thinning in this area is to slow the spread of wildfire by limiting fire intensity, reducing the chance of spot fires ignited by wind-blown embers and improving fire suppression effectiveness. Regular forest thinning is needed to maintain these areas and sustain the benefits of the fireguard. Parks Canada is conducting ongoing assessments to identify additional wildfire risk reduction opportunities in the area west of town. This winter, Parks Canada is assessing the possibility of clearing an additional 100 hectares of vegetation around Pyramid Bench and the Community Fireguard. This work aims to enhance the continuity and effectiveness of the fireguard as a control feature west of the community. Whistlers Mountain Parks Canada is assessing the north slopes of Whistlers Mountain, southwest of Jasper, for a potential fire control line. Parks Canada is investigating a range of options. What visitors and residents can expect Operational hours: Work will take place 7 days a week, with the potential for extended hours and nighttime operations. Visible smoke: Pile burning may produce visible smoke near the townsite. These are controlled fires and there is no need to call emergency services to report smoke in the area. People with respiratory ailments are encouraged to contact local health professionals for advice if they have concerns. Noise: Chainsaws and heavy equipment will be in use during operations. FireSmart principles: What residents and businesses need to know Wildfire risk reduction is a shared responsibility. Parks Canada requires residents and businesses to follow FireSmart principles to protect their properties, support community safety and reduce the wildfire risk for the Jasper community. Key actions include: Roofing and deck materials: Replace flammable materials (e.g., cedar shingles and wooden decks) with fire-resistant alternatives. Vegetation management: Create a defensible space around buildings by removing conifer trees close to structures, thinning and limbing dense conifer trees and trimming branches that overhang roofs. Removal of combustible materials: Within 1.5 meters of structures, remove all combustible materials. Reduce and manage vegetation up to 30 meters from structures to limit potential fuel sources. Store firewood and other combustible materials away from buildings and under a spark-resistant cover. Clean gutters and rooftops regularly to remove dry debris. Watering Vegetation: During dry summer conditions, water vegetation near buildings to keep it hydrated and reduce its chance of ignition. 2-5 mm per day is sufficient when applied in the early morning or late evening. For more information, visit FireSmart Canada. Stay informed Join our fire information mailing list to receive the latest information on all things fire. For more information on the Jasper National Park Fire Management Program, prescribed fire, or wildfire risk reduction projects, please visit parks.canada.ca/jasperfireupdate For accurate information about the 2024 Jasper Wildfire, click here. Media enquiries: Public Relations and Communications Jasper National Park Telephone: 780-852-6109 Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Newsletter date

Details

December 20, 2024

External link: Wildfire risk reduction work resumes

Plain text version

Parks Canada is continuing wildfire risk reduction efforts in Jasper National Park this winter.

Reducing the risk of wildfire to a community involves a collaborative approach with layers of protection on the landscape and in town to reduce the risk of wildfire. We know that wildfire risk reduction is top of mind which is why we are providing updates on progress being made to further reduce risk to the town. Parks Canada continues to work in partnership with the Municipality of Jasper on FireSmarting and improving fire resiliency on critical infrastructure. Residents can also contribute by FireSmarting and making changes that are in line with updated Jasper development policies. The FireSmart Home Development Guide has information on how to design or retrofit buildings and yards to provide protection from fire.

Following the 2024 Jasper Wildfire, Parks Canada is adapting its wildfire risk reduction strategy to address ongoing risks posed by the altered landscape. Using an integrated approach, these actions are part of a multi-year risk reduction commitment to increase wildfire resiliency of the Jasper townsite, Outlying Commercial Areas (OCA), critical infrastructure and surrounding provincial lands.

Current wildfire risk reduction activities

Work is expected to continue through the winter, weather permitting. Crews closely monitor conditions such as snow cover, wind speed and air quality to ensure safe operations.

Pine Bungalows area

Crews are currently working around the wastewater treatment plant and Pine Bungalows. Activities include felling trees, limbing branches, and burning debris piles on-site to reduce potential fire hazards.

Whirlpool area

Crews are burning debris piles left from trail-clearing work earlier in the year.

Patricia Lake

Later this winter, Parks Canada will conduct additional fuel reduction work near Patricia Lake. This work supports the broader FireSmart initiative to create defensible spaces and improve emergency response access.

West of town

Wildfire risk reduction west of the town of Jasper remains a top priority for Parks Canada. Building upon decades of work, Parks Canada maintains a 2.5 km area of reduced vegetation directly west of town in two main areas:

Community Fireguard: A cleared area of about 50 hectares along Cabin Lake fire road that acts as a line of defence for responders controlling a wildfire.
Pyramid Bench: In 2018, Parks Canada reduced the amount of dead and dying trees across more than 300 hectares of mountain pine beetle affected forest on Pyramid Bench. This area connects to FireSmart treated areas around town to create a larger protected area to the west of town.

The goal of fuel reduction and forest-thinning in this area is to slow the spread of wildfire by limiting fire intensity, reducing the chance of spot fires ignited by wind-blown embers and improving fire suppression effectiveness. Regular forest thinning is needed to maintain these areas and sustain the benefits of the fireguard.

Parks Canada is conducting ongoing assessments to identify additional wildfire risk reduction opportunities in the area west of town. This winter, Parks Canada is assessing the possibility of clearing an additional 100 hectares of vegetation around Pyramid Bench and the Community Fireguard. This work aims to enhance the continuity and effectiveness of the fireguard as a control feature west of the community.

Whistlers Mountain

Parks Canada is assessing the north slopes of Whistlers Mountain, southwest of Jasper, for a potential fire control line. Parks Canada is investigating a range of options.

What visitors and residents can expect

Operational hours: Work will take place 7 days a week, with the potential for extended hours and nighttime operations.
Visible smoke: Pile burning may produce visible smoke near the townsite. These are controlled fires and there is no need to call emergency services to report smoke in the area. People with respiratory ailments are encouraged to contact local health professionals for advice if they have concerns.
Noise: Chainsaws and heavy equipment will be in use during operations.

FireSmart principles: What residents and businesses need to know

Wildfire risk reduction is a shared responsibility. Parks Canada requires residents and businesses to follow FireSmart principles to protect their properties, support community safety and reduce the wildfire risk for the Jasper community.

Key actions include:

Roofing and deck materials: Replace flammable materials (e.g., cedar shingles and wooden decks) with fire-resistant alternatives.
Vegetation management: Create a defensible space around buildings by removing conifer trees close to structures, thinning and limbing dense conifer trees and trimming branches that overhang roofs.
Removal of combustible materials: Within 1.5 meters of structures, remove all combustible materials. Reduce and manage vegetation up to 30 meters from structures to limit potential fuel sources. Store firewood and other combustible materials away from buildings and under a spark-resistant cover. Clean gutters and rooftops regularly to remove dry debris.
Watering Vegetation: During dry summer conditions, water vegetation near buildings to keep it hydrated and reduce its chance of ignition. 2-5 mm per day is sufficient when applied in the early morning or late evening.

For more information, visit FireSmart Canada.

Stay informed

Join our fire information mailing list to receive the latest information on all things fire.

For more information on the Jasper National Park Fire Management Program, prescribed fire, or wildfire risk reduction projects, please visit parks.canada.ca/jasperfireupdate

For accurate information about the 2024 Jasper Wildfire, click here.

Media enquiries:

Public Relations and Communications
Jasper National Park
Telephone: 780-852-6109
Email: jnpmedia@pc.gc.ca

Wildfire risk reduction work helps limit fire intensity, reduces the potential for spot fires from windblown embers, and improves the effectiveness of fire suppression techniques. FireSmart is a key part of this work.

Did you know: Parks Canada is an active member of the FireSmart program?

FireSmart Canada logo

The FireSmart program increases community resilience to wildfire across Canada. FireSmart Canada works closely with communities within the national park including the Municipality of Jasper. They also work with neighbouring communities outside Jasper National Park.

Prescribed fires

Prescribed fire operations will only be conducted when predetermined weather and site conditions are met.

Prescribed fires help to restore healthy forests and grasslands, enhance habitat for wildlife and reduce the risk of wildfire to our communities.

2024 prescribed fires

Southesk

Date: Spring/Summer/Fall
Size: 925 ha
Location: The Southesk Valley, in the southeast corner of Jasper National Park, upstream of a wildfire in the valley in 2006.
Additional details:
The ecological objective of this prescribed fire is to promote natural regeneration of lodgepole pine forest. Lodgepole pine is a fire-dependent species and the southesk valley contains healthy cone-bearing lodgepole pine for re-seeding post-fire, unlike much of the pine forest that has sustained heavy mortality from mountain pine beetle in Jasper National Park. This southeast corner of the park is a remote area that does not have significant values at risk, which extends the season for prescribed burning to be more representative of the historic fire regime.

Talbot Lake

Date: Spring/ Fall
Size: 3600 ha
Location: South of Rocky River and east of Talbot Lake, in the Athabasca River Valley.
Additional details:
The objective of this proposed prescribed burn is to restore grassland and aspen forest habitat through a re-burn of 2003 Syncline fire slopes.

Douglas-fir Hillsides

Date: Spring
Size: 283 ha
Location: Seven sub-units, all within close proximity to the Jasper townsite, in an area known as Pyramid Bench, west of the Jasper townsite.
Additional details:
The objective of this prescribed fire is to restore Douglas fir savannah-structure habitat and reduce the risk of wildfire to the community of Jasper through enhancement of natural fire barriers on these south facing open slopes.

Backcountry Meadows

Date: Spring/Fall
Size: 493 ha (22 units)
Location: Many small units across the backcountry of Jasper National Park.
Additional details:
The goal of burning in these backcountry areas is to restore lower subalpine meadows, shrubs and grass dominated features in the subalpine need periodic disturbance to persist in this heavily forested ecoregion.

In development

Community Fireguard

Date: Spring/Fall
Size: 5-10 ha
Location: The area along the Community Fireguard (trail 8e) in the Pyramid Bench area, west of the townsite.
Additional details:
The goal of maintaining this community fireguard is to reinforce community protection in a FireSmart maintained feature. This cleared fuel break along the Cabin Lake fire road acts as a significant operational feature to manage a potential wildfire and as a line of defence for firefighters to carry out suppression activities to protect the community.

Jasper is a FireSmart community

This means that we understand the risk of wildfire in a forested community, and take actions to both prepare to respond in the event of an emergency and to reduce the potential impacts of a wildfire.

Parks Canada works with partners for support.

We work with the Municipality of Jasper, Alberta Forestry, BC Wildfire Service, Parks Canada National Fire Program, and other provincial and territorial fire and emergency response agencies to share information, expertise, personnel, and equipment. We train together to prepare for emergencies and share lessons learned from recent wildfires across Canada.

We monitor conditions daily.

There are six weather stations in the park that record hourly temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and wind direction. We use this information, along with national weather reports, to determine the fire danger rating. This tells us how easily a fire could start, how difficult it might be to control, and how long it might burn.

Our team of first responders act fast.

We have our own dedicated initial attack team of fire first responders, along with a fire management officer, fire technician, and fire and vegetation specialist. When the fire danger rating is very high to extreme, the fire crew and a helicopter are on standby. They conduct regular patrols to check for smoke, lightning strikes, and illegal campfires.

We get a lot of help from our friends.

If needed, Parks Canada has access to fire crews and specialists across the country, including five national incident management teams, who can arrive to help manage large, complex wildfire emergencies within 24-48 hours. As a partner in the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, we can also request immediate help from forest fire agencies in every province and territory in Canada and internationally.

We stop random campfires before they start.

The majority of wildfires are started by people. We have a permanent fire restriction that only allows fires in provided fire pits or boxes. This keeps campfires in places where staff can make sure that fires are burning safely and can respond quickly to any reports of unattended or uncontrolled fire. A fire ban is another fire prevention tool we can use to reduce the number of human-caused fires. Illegal fires or camping are investigated and may lead to charges and fines.

More than 10 km² of forest have been thinned through the wildfire risk reduction program.

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are active partners in the “FireSmart” community protection program. As part of this program, we work together to thin the forest near the community, which keeps a wildfire on the ground rather than in the tree tops. When fire is on the ground, it limits fire intensity, reduces windblown embers, and makes it easier for responders to control.

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper have been working to thin the forest around town since 2003.

Parks Canada maintains a Community Fireguard.

This cleared fuel break on Pyramid Bench along the Cabin Lake fire road acts as a barrier to slow the spread of a wildfire and as a line of defense from which responders can carry out actions to control a fire.

We adapt to the effects of mountain pine beetle.

Mountain pine beetles kill the trees that host them. Dead trees dry out faster than live trees. We are now using a different forest type to predict fire behaviour that better reflects the number of dead trees in our pine forest. This means that we will see more days of high to extreme fire danger, and fire bans may be in place more often and earlier than in previous years.

We are planning for the future.

We are constantly assessing our approach to managing wildfire. We review and adjust plans as the environment and climate around us changes. There are always opportunities to learn and to continually improve community protection. We continue to work closely with our partners to reduce the risk of wildfire to the town and to prepare to work together in the event of an emergency.

You can help protect yourself and your community

Report any sign of wildfire to Parks Canada Dispatch 780-852-6155 or call 911.
FireSmart begins at home. Contact the Municipality of Jasper's Protective Services for more information at 780-852-1591.
Make a plan. Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit. Get the Municipal Evacuation Guide.
Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app on your phone.

More information

Phone: 780-883-0020
Email: jnpfireinfo@pc.gc.ca

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