Chainsaws, machinery and crews have been working more around Jasper this winter to help protect the town from wildfire.
Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper have continued work on FireSmart projects over the last few months, reducing the amount of vegetation around town that could fuel a wildfire.
Current projects around Jasper include FireSmart and preparation for prescribed fires.
FireSmart
Machinery and ground crews have completed harvesting, pruning, piling and burning in forested areas surrounding the community.
The focus of this year’s project was protecting key evacuation routes and critical infrastructure, along with maintenance work in previously treated FireSmart forest areas.
Preparation for prescribed fire
Parks Canada fire crews are preparing an area on the Pyramid Bench, west of Jasper, for a future prescribed fire.
If conditions allow this spring, Parks Canada will carry out a prescribed fire in an area of approximately 100 hectares between Wynd Road and Cabin Lake.
Burning next to areas where mature pines were removed will reinforce and strengthen the fuel reduction project completed in spring 2019. It will also help to restore open Douglas fir forests and grasslands.
In addition to the ecological benefits, this fire is designed to strengthen the fireguard in the event of a wildfire spreading towards Jasper.
Through safe and effective fire management, Parks Canada and the municipality are reducing the danger of wildfire to the public, infrastructure and neighbouring lands, while improving the ecological health of our forests and grasslands.
Smoke
Expect to see smoke in the air from several other projects that require pile burning in the park this winter.
Burning is only permitted on days when conditions are safe and all reasonable efforts are made to minimize smoke production.
There is no need to call 911 or other emergency services to report smoke.
Trails
Temporary trail closures may be required on some trails and roads where crews and equipment are operating.
Keep an eye out for crews at work, and adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails and on the Parks Canada trail condition report.
