Jasper Wildfire
The town of Jasper, Alberta in Jasper National Park and the park itself experienced a devastating fire this summer. The Jasper Wildfire Complex, formed when fires to the north and south of the town and the Utopia wildfire near Miette Hot Springs merged, spanned more than 33,000 hectares and impacted the town of Jasper, outlying visitor accommodation and various Parks Canada facilities. More than 20,000 people including 5,000 residents were evacuated safely from the park and town from July 22-24. Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and is known worldwide for its spectacular beauty, abundant wildlife and extensive trail network.
The fire was unprecedented in its ferocity and destroyed 30 per cent of all buildings in the town. Firefighters reported witnessing 300-400 foot flames. "There is nothing any human on earth, or any piece of equipment, could have done standing in front of that wall of fire that would have allowed them to stop it. It's just not possible," Ron Hallman, Parks Canada president and CEO said. The Herculean efforts of firefighters and other essential workers saved the remainder of the town, and on August 17 the Jasper Wildfire Complex was classified as being held and the Evacuation Alert lifted from the town. The people of Jasper are now coping with the devastation and beginning the recovery, determined to rebuild their beloved town, a historic railway town. A message posted on social media by the Municipality of Jasper on August 22 stated, "Jasper's spirit is unshakable. We honour the resilience of our community and the tireless efforts of those, from here and away, who have worked to protect and restore it. From the bottom of our hearts: Thank You."
Our hearts go out to all affected by the fire which consumed so many homes and businesses, and to the firefighters who risk their health and lives. Those affected include approximately 1,500 temporary foreign workers who have been left in limbo, as their work permits are tied to one employer. Community organizations have stepped forward to assist them, while the federal government has shown its indifference, will not provide open work permits and has only announced that it will not charge the workers when they apply for new work permits.
The devastating fire in the town and park has raised many questions. National parks are said to be kept in their natural state, while the truth is that before it was declared a national park, the land was home to the Anishinaabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nehiyawak, Secwepemc, Stoney Nakoda, and Métis. They were forcibly removed and blocked from accessing their territory, and with them their deep knowledge of how to live with fire and to use fire "in a good way" was also banished.
Parks Canada fire specialists and firefighters have carried out a lot of work to protect Jasper, Banff and towns in parks across the country. Forests have been thinned, controlled burns have been used since 1996, and a FireSmart program has been in effect since 2003. Increasing the danger of wildfires, a mountain pine beetle infestation has left hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest precariously dry.
Because it is situated in a national park, Jasper was better equipped than many communities in the forest across the country, especially Indigenous communities, to fight the fire. Many people are asking -– if fire cannot be controlled in a national park with more extensive resources, what is the future of other communities in the forest? Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was quick to seize the "opportunity" to advocate clear cut logging by private timber companies. "We've got forest management agreements with all of our forestry companies," Smith said. "There's no reason why we can't say, 'Hey, guess what? Can you prioritize cutting here? Can you prioritize building fire breaks in this way?"'
Certainly more resources are required to mitigate the consequences of global warming which is compounded by 100 years of fire suppression which have resulted in aging forests which burn hotter and faster than ever before. Premier Smith's statement is further confirmation that what is key is that those with expertise -– the Indigenous Peoples, the firefighters, the forest scientists, and the communities in the forest must have the decisive say, not the U.S. lumber barons whose only interest is the accumulation of private wealth and whose control poses a grave threat to the future of the forests, the workers in the wood industry, the firefighters, and the communities in the forests.
This article was published in
September 27, 2024
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/ITN2024/Articles/TI54185.HTM
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