Parks Canada has put a fire ban into effect in Jasper National Park, where dry conditions have resulted in a higher than normal risk of wildfires. It’s the latest park along the Rocky Mountains to enact a fire ban.
The ban covers the entire national park, including all front and backcountry campgrounds and day use areas. A fire ban is also in place for the Jasper townsite, issued by the Municipality of Jasper.
READ MORE: Increased wildfire risk in Jasper due to pine beetles, says MP
The fire ban includes all open fires, but excludes Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) approved or Underwriters Laboratories (UL certified):
- Portable propane fire pits
- Gas or propane stoves and barbecues, designed for cooking or heating
- Propane or gas-fuelled lanterns (enclosed flame)
- Patio heaters (propane, catalytic or infrared/radiant)
Parks Canada said the ban would remain in place until conditions change. Parks crews are doing daily helicopter patrols to check for lightning strikes or ignition of fires and said a local initial attack team is ready to respond in the event of a wildfire.
Two summers ago, a wildfire ripped through the Maligne Valley area of Jasper National Park, about 15 kilometres from the Jasper townsite.
READ MORE: Bad behaviour in Canadian national parks revealed
Tuesday’s Jasper ban comes one day after a fire ban was put in place for Banff National Park, where Parks Canada crews are working to contain a wildfire burning near the continental divide. The fire is burning two kilometres west of the Sunshine Village ski resort, just across the Alberta-B.C. Border.
READ MORE: ‘High to extreme’ danger across Alberta, BC parks spurs extension of fire ban
On Tuesday, that ban was extended to include Kootenay and Yoho national parks to reduce the risk of additional fires starting. Waterton Lakes National Park also issued a fire ban, which covers all front and backcountry campgrounds and day-use areas, as well as the townsite.
A full list of Alberta fire bans can be found here.
WATCH: a fire in Kootenay National Park is considered out of control, and now fire bans have been extended to include Banff, Kootenay and Yoho national parks. David Boushy reports.
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