One year on, recovery from fire in Jasper National Park expected to take decades

Jasper National Park, Canada’s second most popular park among visitors, suffered massive losses from destructive fires in July, 2024.  One third of the township of Jasper was lost along with thirty three thousand hectares of forest in the park. Several fires started after lightning strikes on very dry lands, with hot, dry temperatures. Residents remained evacuated until Aug. 16, when the efforts of 3,000 personnel finally managed to hold the fire.  It was finally brought fully under control Sept. 7, burning for about three weeks. 358 businesses and homes had been wiped out. Now, a year later, some residents are still living in temporary homes, and may be for the foreseeable future. “We expect the majority of homes and businesses will be rebuilt in the first three to five years. But there will be some additional ones that take longer. We have an overall recovery timeline of 7 to 10 years.” Michael Fark, the Director of Recovery for the Municipality of Jasper told APTN News, saying that rebuilding is going to take a considerable amount of time. Fark said 20 to 25 per cent of hotels and camping were destroyed, which is now limiting the number of visitors to Jasper. He says that is causing less business for food and beverage companies as well as tourism and adventure operators. “There are simply fewer people who are able to be in Jasper.” As for the the park outside the townsite, the view has certainly changed. Large, old trees are now burned stumps. Smaller trees remain, standing, but blackened. Marcia Dewandel, the Vegetation Restoration Specialist with Jasper National Park said restoration will take generations. “The deciduous trees and our grasses, our forbs (flowering plants), we are seeing those already-but as far as seeing a coniferous tree, we are looking at decades.” Dewandel said the best way to help restore the park is to let nature heal it. “There are some areas though we will focus on giving the restoration some support. And most of those areas are in spots where people frequent. For example, trails and day use areas.” She said they’re asking tourists to ensure their footwear does not contain foreign seeds, and to use available shoe wash stations to prevent any invasive plants gaining a foothold. Continue Reading