I’m standing at the highest point of the Old Fort Trail, gazing 430 feet below at the bending Athabasca River. The stream’s banks are framed by countless skeletal, fire-tinged spruce and pine trunks. Burnt remnants are covered in smouldering black char, with no pine needles to be seen. What was a once a grove of lush evergreen canopies is reduced to an echo of a formerly vibrant forest. This is the result of the 2024 Jasper National Park fires.
Over 127 square miles of forest were touched by its flames, and about 30% of Jasper’s township was devoured in its wake. My recent visit, one year after the incident, confirmed that the once pristine UNESCO Heritage Site was forever changed, with the incident’s imprints found at nearly every turn.
And yet, gazing down into what many would call a “graveyard” of a great catastrophe, I saw something different—two generations of plant life co-existing in their respective cycles—burnt logs reflecting the grove’s past, and fresh ground cover promising an abundant future.
It’s a rare moment where an unfortunate event creates an opportunity for visitors to truly see a forest’s death and renewal on full display, which makes it the ideal time to witness the transformation firsthand.
What last year’s wildfires meant for the town and park of Jasper
The Jasper National Park wildfires began on July 22nd, 2024, and were the result of lightning strikes igniting fires and extreme winds. Residents within the township were immediately evacuated, unable to return until August 16th. 358 structures were destroyed before the wildfire complex was finally contained in early September, and the town lost several private residences, restaurants, and shops.
With so many structures damaged, the fires had a lasting effect on both daily life and tourism in Jasper National Park. Recovery efforts were gradually implemented with a focus on FireSmart principles designed to reduce the impact of future outbreaks. Parks Canada did its best to keep the park open while maintaining necessary closures in areas like the Valley of the Five Lakes and Maligne Canyon.
The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre and other local initiatives paved the way for a rebuilding plan, resulting in regional policy shifts prioritizing increased housing options and wildfire resilient structures. During my visit, park officials and residents expressed eagerness for tourists to continue visiting the park and inland town, as visitors provide funds for recovery and support local businesses.
But a year later, heaviness and grief still hangs in the air. While attending the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, I overheard several neighbors and coworkers sharing wins alongside frustration with reestablishing efforts, quietly revealing the fire’s long-lasting effects on daily life.
How Jasper’s landscape is shifting as new growth emerges
One of the most apparent shifts of the landscape is how open it feels. It’s easier to glimpse views of the Rocky Mountain backdrops, and animal viewing is easier than ever. Not just because of the clear line of sight, but because of the low ground cover plants such as moss and fireweed providing food for the park’s many herbivores.
These early succession plants will help to revitalize the soil bed, which was also burnt by a series of underground fires, hauntingly referred to as zombie fires.
Park access is slightly limited as recovery efforts continue, and where guests are allowed, the park asks for visitors to be respectful of the land. Jasper Canada crafted a responsible tourism guide that requests park goers to be considerate of local residents, be mindful of documenting damage in an exploitative way, and embracing patience and understanding during this time of repair.
Meaningful ways to explore Jasper in its post-wildfire recovery
The Jasper National Park wildfires had a huge impact, there are still breathtaking mountain vistas, well-maintained trails, and outdoor activities to enjoy. 97% of the park remains undamaged, and here are some ideas for what to do with your time in the park’s bounds:
- Join a local tour: Many local tour outfitters leaned into highlighting and educating guests on the fire, including a hiking “Wildfire Peak Nic” tour with Jasper Food Tours and the Wildlife of Jasper and SunDog Tours’ hike-free “Ecology of Fire” enjoyed from the comfort of a coach bus.
- Dine locally: Old businesses have been reestablishing while newer players are opening, and Jasper’s main strip hosts many formidable places to eat with ambiance as well as local bites. I recommend a stop at Otto’s Cache for breakfast, Jasper Brewing Co. for lunch, Aalto for dinner, and Evil Dave’s for a nightcap with locals.
- Stay in the park: With Jasper National Park spanning approximately 4,247 square miles, it makes sense to spend the night in its bounds, which also supports the local community. I stayed at the picture-perfect Pyramid Lake Lodge and enjoyed a spa visit at the idyllic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and strongly recommend both as convenient overnight anchors for your visit.
- Visit the park’s open local attractions: Many popular attractions are currently open for nature lovers to enjoy, including the Icefields Parkway scenic drive, Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and the Jasper SkyTram.
- Explore the creative side of Jasper: Downtown Jasper is covered with murals by local artists in a variety of styles, and interesting historical exhibits and artifacts are found in the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum & Archives. The Jasper Art Gallery is a favorite stop, with a recent exhibit entitled “Stories of Resilience: Voices of Jasper” showcasing the impact of the fires through artists’ lens.
In my humble opinion, Jasper National Park is one of the best places to visit in Canada, and I firmly believe its beauty wasn’t diminished by the fires, it was simply transformed.
While it’s harrowing to see so much loss, it’s a sobering reminder that it’s important to understand and align with wildfires rather than repress or ignore them. This continued witnessing and learning contributes to the park’s future protection while providing a unique view into its changing landscape today.
