Scott Hayes | [email protected]
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Parks Canada has instituted a throughout the park, in collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, effective May 11.
The fire ban will remain in place until further notice.
鈥淚 think that there's been a lot of folks who were waiting for this announcement,鈥� said Jasmine Ramratan, acting field unit supervisor.
Parks Canada has been closely considering the need for a fire ban up until this point. It based its decision on several factors, including the weather forecast and the situation involving the rampant wildfires that the province has seen over the last week.
With temperatures climbing to 30 C this weekend and the province still bone dry in many places, the risk is too high for even one errant spark to land on some timber or a patch of brown grass.
This means no campfires at the campsites. Ramratan said that it is unfortunate that the busy camping season coincides with the busy wildfire season, but Parks Canada maintains that its first priority is safety.
This fire ban is intended to maximize the availability of firefighters and their equipment. The municipality sent four members of the Jasper Fire Department and their Structural Protection Unit to assist with the inter-agency efforts to stave the wildfires in both Yellowhead and Parkland Counties. There are several active wildfires east of Jasper National Park.
Currently, Parks Canada鈥檚 fire personnel are conducting twice-daily helicopter patrols for signs of fire or smoke.
鈥淲e do have those patrols go out, because that's one way for us to cover the very wide, large geographic area of the park,鈥� she said.
While there are no active fires in the park, a tree in Wapiti Campground was ignited after being struck by lightning on May 6. It was promptly extinguished by fire crews, but Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting 鈥渦nseasonably hot, dry conditions鈥� starting this weekend. There were a few days with the risk of thunderstorms also this week, so the possibility of another lightning strike is real.
She added that, while the current fire danger rating in Jasper National Park is 鈥溾��, the fire ban is mostly due to the forecast. The precipitation seen over the last few days has been good, but it鈥檚 not enough.
鈥淚 think hopefully people will be able to understand that there is not an actual increased fire risk in Jasper National Park right now. We are looking ahead and just generally trying to reduce the likelihood of any new human-caused fires by putting a fire ban in place,鈥� Ramratan said.
To further enhance this safety measure, Parks Canada has called off its prescribed burns for the time-being. A fire ban doesn鈥檛 just apply to members of the public.
鈥淭hat applies to Parks Canada operations as well, so anything like a prescribed burn, we would not do that. We'd be subject to that ban as well,鈥� Ramratan added.
The following is a list of prohibited activities during the fire ban:
- wood-burning campfire;
- charcoal, briquette or wood barbecues;
- turkey fryers;
- tiki torches; and
- outdoor wood-burning stove including cooking shelters.
People are still allowed to use gas or propane stoves and barbecues; propane, catalytic or infrared/radiant heaters; propane or gas lanterns; candles; portable propane firepits; and indoor wood-burning stoves that are in fully enclosed buildings. Ramratan said that these are permitted because they are very well contained and controlled.
If you are unsure about what heating, fire or light source you can use then you should visit the Jasper Information Centre or ask any Parks Canada staff member.
Parks Canada also asks people to report any wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155 or call 911.
