Prescribed Fires – Backcountry Meadow Restoration

Jasper’s fire management team began carrying out small-scale meadow burns in the park’s backcountry this past Saturday, Sept. 23. After successful, low-intensity burning near the Willow Creek cabin, a crew moved south to carry out precise fireguard burning near the Willow Creek campground. Here, unexpected wind gusts carried fire into a section of forest and resulted in a small, 40-hectare excursion. While this excursion will help to expand the meadow to nearer historic conditions, downwind smoke concerns and the possibility of growth prompted fire managers to work toward extinguishing this section of forest. The shorter days at this time of year result in a very short burning period and will greatly aid extinguishment. 

Igniting small-scale prescribed fires in specific sub-alpine backcountry locations is part of an on-going program to restore the historic fire cycle to our landscape. By re-introducing the important natural process of fire, we can help maintain or re-establish meadow ecosystems. Further burning will continue if weather and forest conditions allow, in the following backcountry areas: 

• Little Heaven (North Boundary) 

• Rocky Forks (South Boundary)

It’s Hunting Season

Hunting or shooting of any firearms (including bows) is prohibited inside National Parks. Firearms being transported through the park (or directly to one’s residence inside the park) must be unloaded and encased. Wildlife hunted outside the park and being transported must be tagged as per provincial wildlife regulations. 

Parks Canada carries out frequent frontcountry and backcountry patrols for monitoring and enforcement purposes.

If you see any suspicious behaviour in the backcountry please report it to report it to Parks Canada dispatch at 780-852-6155.

Harvest Your Fruit Trees

It’s an excellent year for berries in Jasper National Park and both grizzly and black bears are gorging themselves on buffaloberries, gooseberries, currants, and blueberries at higher elevations.

It’s also an excellent year for fruit in the townsite as many yards have crabapple and cherry trees overflowing with fruit. Once the cold weather forces bears down into the valley bottoms, these fruit trees may become a huge attractant. Please pick your fruit and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

Other backyard attractants for bears include barbecues, bird feeders and pet food left outside. Keep a tidy yard and ensure that recyclables and garbage are taken away or securely stored. We all need to help keep bears out of the townsite.