National mourning after monster wildfire spanning 36,000 hectares devastates Canadian town of Jasper

[@Leviathan02464]

As a person who lives near and visits Jasper ofthen this is a sad loss. Alberta is tough and will recover

[@jaredmat5616]

will this hurt the economy???

[@proudcanadian1837]

​@jaredmat5616 Oh, don't worry about that. The federal government is doing a bang-up job of leveling the Canadian economy

[@WheatRoad-og8wd]

You are wrong,, alberta is not tough ,, fire angels are tough and they won't stop until earth is like red mars ,, no place on earth is immune ,, from Maui to chile to greece ,, there is no single symptom indicates that these fires would stop any time ,, in noah days it drowned indulge ,, in our days it will be burned ,, no force on earth can stop it ,, put your legs in cold water and weep for poor alberta

[@madcow3417]

Thanks so much for this story. There are countless articles in the US about how smoke is covering our country. The cause? "Wildfires in Canada." That's it, three words. There are wildfires big enough to cover the entire US in smoke, and there isn't a single US news article about the fires themselves.

[@Rnankn]

Watch or read Canadian news. :)

[@MeMe-cz6pk]

July 27, 2024/ USA As of this morning, 102 large active wildfires are being managed nationwide, and have burned 2,033,289 acres. Fire managers are using full suppression strategies on 95 of these wildfires.

[@strawberry-vl8ki]

My heart is broken, my husband showed me the first videos taken at the town and i just sobbed. My fave summer place, tons of amazing memories. Jasper will rise, and we will be back💖💖💖

[@FINSuojeluskunta]

Everyone is affected by bad ecological practices and global warming. Not just the hot parts, if anything the cold northern areas see the most drastic changes.

[@JensSchraeder]

Here in Canada we like the warmer temperatures. Cuz it gets bloody cold here.

[@flightographist]

Out to lunch, respectfully, as a retired forester and forest biologist. Most of the country is/was fire adapted landscape. Mother nature isn't stopping for humanity.

[@chadtosh6831]

Absolutely correct. Can only play with mother nature for so long, she always wins.

[@andrewandres148]

Why no mention of the trees that were killed off by the "Lodge pine bettle" as the locals call them...... When we visited 5 yrs ago, half the trees were dead....... And no mention of this?

[@joanfrellburg4901]

The chainsaw beetle is another one. They usually are identified by their preferred mode of transportation - a pickup truck with nuts.

[@hughvanhecke252]

because it doesn't fit the narrative. Mainstream media at its best !

[@mysterycheez]

It doesn't help their Climate change agenda.

[@tarmbruster1]

They refuse to mention it for fear that it would affect tourism and to deflect responsibility. Climate change has nothing to do with the (town) catching fire. Forest Management caused this. No controlled burns. None. No cutting and clearing of dead trees. I was just there, leaving two days prior to the fire. There is hundreds of thousands of dead forest. They are in denial..... but God bless em.

[@ryanmuir6338]

Shh, we don't talk about that, it's contrary to the narrative

[@mikeylikethailand]

As a Canadian residing abroad my wife and I will cherish the memories of our Jasper visit in Jan of 2024

[@danyab1377]

Our longtime family friend has lived in Jasper for almost 50 years. For years, many in the community there have been requesting a 5km fire break encompassing the city that would help prevent immediate impact.

[@time_g_space]

From a Californian, I will ask that those in grief rest assured that there is a possibility of a rebirth. Perhaps here in California, the aftermath and rebirth of wildlife after a fire is in the span of a decade. I am sorry for our loss.

[@tiwowo1234]

I JUST FEEL SORRY FOR WILDLIFE

[@runningbird501]

And no mention of the fuel loads created by a century of fire suppression. Oh look, humanity took fire away from the forest and interrupted a process that created it's own fire breaks and fuel load reductions, now there are very few firebreaks and excessive fuel loading. It's like setting fire to the woodshed.

[@RichEmbury]

I also learnt that even though British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories get snow (sometimes alot) and temps as cold as -40c + f , the fire can hibernate UNDERGROUND all winter and resurfaces when it's hot and dry. Crazy to think that you could be standing on a snow pile 10ft thick, but it might have fire embers hanging out, waiting for summer.

[@Daniel_WR_Hart]

Wild fires are caused by lightning wtf are you talking about?

[@RichEmbury]

@Daniel_WR_Hart they are caused by alot of things, humans (cigarette butts out the window, Atvs, improper disposal of camp fires etc), not just lighting, and including what I mentioned. Seems weird, but it's true. Also, the stats show many are human caused, not just lightning...so, WTF are YOU talking about. What I said isn't the root cause, but even after fires are put out, they can smoulder underground during the winter. Look it up.

[@cmccullough12C]

@@Daniel_WR_Hartactually that comment is right about fires underground. They are called zombie fires. Read up about it.

[@cmccullough12C]

You’re right about smouldering fires underground. They are called Zombie Fires. Most people are unaware of this phenomenon. 🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@Daniel_WR_Hart]

@@cmccullough12C I can't believe it but you're right

[@robertmitchell2178]

She doesn't mention the invasive Japanese Pine Beetle killing millions of pine trees? Huh?

[@johnsmeith3913]

Chinese pine beetle*

[@kayohjayeye3929]

Umm, in Jasper I believe you mean the native mountain pine beetle??? The same kind that destroyed the forests around my home a couple decades ago? The spike was because of warmer winters and now it's spread to higher elevations, but yeah somehow the Japanese Pine Beetle🤔.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

@johnsmeith3913 Wrong. It's the Japanese pine beetle that's causing us the problem here. I live here.

[@kayohjayeye3929]

@@Joe-mz6dc I'm hours away, show me sources. Google or research pine beetle and Jasper, or Western Canada and see what you come up with

[@kayohjayeye3929]

@@Joe-mz6dc even your Alberta government website doesn't mention your.Jaoanese Pine Beetle as one of the several "noteworthy forest pests". Where do you get your info from?

[@bluebirdfree1394]

Drop some grass seed after a fire and it will establish a root network quickly that will help stabilize the land from flooding and sliding. This could even be dropped by air and grows easily and quickly.

[@SteveHARDWATER]

Our canadian rocky mountain forests are ancient. Fires are necessary for forest progress and are natural. Unfortunately, they are inevitable. It is how we prepare that is important.

[@IlovethisplaceRR]

Like so many Albertans, I was born and raised exploring the mountains, rivers and lakes of Jasper and the surrounding area. Much of what I know about the outdoors and dealing with wild animals, I learned while exploring the area. Pushing 55 now, I live in the mountains of BC; comfortable in the knowledge and experience gained in Jasper National Park. Prayers.

[@brianbbrianbrian]

She talks about populations pushing into forests while ignoring that Jasper is a community hundreds of years old with federally mandated limitations on growth. It hasn't grown in size in my entire life. Maybe interview someone from the region rather than someone who works and lives thousands of kilometers away. There are plenty of Enviornmental Scientists who live in Alberta and BC. Call one of them up.

[@Rnankn]

Every storm can not be perfect

[@somokey1693]

In California homes must resist earthquakes, in Florida hurricanes, and in China cities build against floods. In Canada we build houses out of wood in forest fire zones, allow ember-trapping wooden decks, lack bylaws preventing combustible materials being stored against structures, or distances trees must be from homes. Many communities in the US build municipal golf courses as fire breaks and utilize their underground water storage if there's a fire. Not in Canada. When wildfire fighters hastelly install structural protections, it's basically sprinklers on rooftops. Anyone could do it in advance from home hardware, but nope. Eventually insurance companies will force change.

[@madcow3417]

I read an article once that said wildfires would get worse until about 2030. At that point climate change would continue getting worse but there would be less fuel on the ground. Don't trust the accuracy of my memory or the article, but it is an interesting concept.

[@nancykraus5127]

There is a Japanese way of reforestation that is much faster than our way. They don't plant just tree saplings but also understory plants and all pretty close together. It refills within 2-3 years as opposed to 10.

[@perryhenrickson7750]

We will rebuild. We are Albertans. Praying for the victim's.

[@Meeko2689]

I’ve to jasper many times, my heart is broken 💔🇨🇦

[@james-js8we]

Parks Canada failed this town as they always do .

[@dougpage2730]

Jasper's regional government has cut millions of dollars from the firefighting and emergency response budget recently. This is criminally irresponsable.

[@duncantorrance1976]

You are talking about the Alberta Gov't cutting the provincial firefighting budget by 15% for the last two years, right?

[@johncheresna]

The resources are not up to the task. People could have done better. I am seeing less and less firefighting aircraft all the time.

[@Leviathan02464]

​@@duncantorrance1976 you are spreading false NDP lies and BS

[@HelnoIaint]

You meant to say Steven Guilbeault ! Right !

[@duncantorrance1976]

@@Leviathan02464 nope it is in the Alberta Gov't budget from last year and 2022.

[@tammyryley4772]

Apparently most albertans are okay with the trade off. Oil prosperity over environment,

[@jtmachete]

It's called poor forest management by the federal government. They were warned about the fuel of dead pine beetle trees surrounding Jasper in 2017 and did nothing. It was a catastrophe waiting to happen.

[@stanleykubrick8786]

Watch it and weep. Stay tuned for our vanishing glaciers that'll leave tourists nothing but a barren moonscape and citizens with no water.

[@Leviathan02464]

Lol ok doomsday prophet

[@brianbbrianbrian]

icefields parkway glacier is practically gone.

[@JensSchraeder]

@@brianbbrianbrianYes. We are still coming out of the last ice age.

[@Richter647]

Alberta had one of the BEST wildfire programs in the world until 2019. Despite MULTIPLE warnings, UCP cut MILLIONS from firefighting programs. We’re now seeing the consequences MAJOR UCP wildfire cuts: The UCP Eliminated the 63-man Aerial Rapattack Team The UCP killed 30 of Alberta’s 127 Wildfire Lookout Towers The UCP cut the Air Tanker Program by 13% The UCP cut rural firefighter training in 2020. The UCP made cuts to the Alberta Wildfire Branch in 2021 eliminating Wildfire Rangers & Info Officers The UCP made 10% more cuts in 2022! This impacted wildfire personnel, resulting in later contractual start dates and earlier end dates Alberta became short staffed in key roles

[@ashleybellerose7104]

Oh yeah forest fires get crazy out here. A few years ago fort mac was hit by fire. Slave lake burned. The fires are common this time of year

[@88thSeigeArmy]

It's not like you weren't warned of course But Hey.... Es ist was es ist Plan now accordingly And don't go starting fights in the eastern hemisphere

[@ashleybellerose7104]

Hows hinton doing with all this? Hintons very very close to jasper

[@vikkimikkola5957]

Why don't we begin to take care of the underbrush etc in the forests around the city areas. Our bush is messy and bad for fire spread.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Most of the trees were dead already. Forest will regenerate....sad but it will take a while.

[@88thSeigeArmy]

They let it get like that or simply for to look into there own backyard

[@luislourenco6720]

We should made plastic tree's, they dont burn. Do they?

[@cbrashsorensen]

Perhaps when humans reach the brink of self-destruction we will recall many opportunities to seek help offered to us instead of mass suicide--or not. Just another "fire" in the news at this point.

[@NoreenThielen]

Forest mismanagement by government ,industry and protectionist entities

[@ashleybellerose7104]

Weve been going through a drout? What? The heat wave hasnt been that long. But okay. Its cold now. Heat wave felt like a week at the very most. I feel like it wasnt even that

[@bwianeh]

I do hope the people of Jasper are OK and may they get back to their lives as soon as posible. Lake Louise, AB, Canada is a small tourist community that could be in trouble(100 years of deadfall)

[@inflames2112]

Shame. Sometimes the greatest harm may result from the best of intentions...

[@terryjross]

Understated a huge topic…the policies that left more undergrowth Policy matters Some of this was started years ago

[@88thSeigeArmy]

Of course There forgot to look in there own backyard That will end being very very expensive for them

[@RheaBoo1]

Not one person cares about the animals who died or lost their homes?

[@JensSchraeder]

Pretty sure they ran away. Cause they all have legs or wings. 🧐

[@RheaBoo1]

@@JensSchraeder The 2020 bushfires in Australia killed 3 billion animals. Just because Canadian reporters aren't writing about it, doesn't mean it's not happening.

[@mickjoebills]

Lightning strikes and wilfire are natures pricess of regeneration. It is a folly to expect towns can be always protected from mother nature.

[@brianbbrianbrian]

It was protected for hundreds of years. What changed in the last few decades to cause so many more fires and so many large fires? Perhaps the same thing that has caused +40C temperatures in relatively northern countries with traditionally colder - and wetter - climates.

[@darkliightXxX]

its Arson season sadly

[@theunvaccinatedcanadian3410]

Lightning

[@88thSeigeArmy]

🦊🔥

[@88thSeigeArmy]

Perhaps the five eyes shouldn't go pissing off everyone else and making so many enemies then

[@coreyegan6751]

MountainDEW

[@johncheresna]

I am an Albertian. I am no expert, but I have been watching flight tracker and I see about a dozen, mostly small firefighting aircraft in the entire province. Less than a dozen. I could be wrong, but if I am correct, that is inexcusable. However National Parks are a Federal matter, so why they were not prepared, you would have to ask Tru d0. Very upsetting.

[@TheNaznine]

Jasper National Park is managed by Parks Canada (the Canadian/Federal Government). The Municipality of Jasper was formed by the Province of Alberta. this is Alberta land and falls under Alberta jurisdiction. She has made it plane the UCP will not except federal interference with Alberta jurisdictions unless She asks for their help. Stop trying to spin the truth around.The UCP have cut fire prevention and specialty fire fighters for years. now she is throwing money to try and curb the criticize-sums. All this in the the end will cost Alberta tax payers more then if we had kept the trained personal we used to have.

[@brianbbrianbrian]

This is simply not true. Don't treat every tragedy as an excuse to slander the names of politicians. Instead please focus on the actual policies in place and avoid misinformation. Thanks.

[@pambp5978]

​@51AB it is a good thing that the UCP has made some strides in reorganization where wildfire control is concerned.. we cannot escape the fact that leading up to last year cuts were made and programs ended.. saying that Alberta has budgeted more money than ever before to wildfire fighting just seems like a normal thing after last year. What is happening on the north east side of Alberta? In heavy oil areas..

[@karrenmorley6637]

Utter BS

[@keithhawthorne5630]

Greed for tourism dollars. Extreme heat warning issued with temps in upper 30's. But, no fire bans! Why? Wildfire is not natural. There was no rain, so how could there be lightning. This is human negligence. 10 000 campers and 15 000 staff in Jasper. Biggest cash cow. Alberta government is responsible. Looks good on them.

[@dlo111]

There is a province wide fire ban. This fire was caused by lightning.

[@ed1019-h8o]

Displaced wildlife many likely killed especially younger animals hopfully lots of wildlife rehab

[@johannesrausch]

Do not forget that controlled fires are not carried out properly to avoid losing visitors, and dry trees are not cut down.

[@jgcelliott1]

I wonder if they think it was worth it now... .

[@brianbbrianbrian]

That's not true at all. Please don't spread misinformation

[@Rocks.geology]

They not good people are Canadian 😅

[@rocknrollcrawlersbashers2204]

lol the old 'Climate Change" chestnut hey..yeah righteo

[@chuckkayak68]

A Firenado was witnessed in this fire, the future holds Firecaines.

[@Dale-r3c5y]

Alberta screwed me. Screw Alberta.

[@9FatraBbits]

Unfortunately not totally unexpected as there were masses of standing dead trees/forests killed by pine beetles years ago. Too much fuel and warmer temperatures equals big burns.

[@williamlockard8191]

When one looks at the fuel load, from understory to dead standing timber, much like homelessness, the government has only been able to see the problem increase. But if they tax the citizenry enough they can change the climate of the world we live on.

[@88thSeigeArmy]

The Balrog is on holidays in Canada

[@RAM-KINGOFTRUCKS]

Cmon climate change 😂😂😂

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

Ecological grief? Another term invented by thee left. Call it was it is: Grief. Sadness.

[@88thSeigeArmy]

I just call it Sookie la lar it's not like you weren't warned

[@dimitristripakis7364]

If dead wood piles up over the years, there is no way you can put out such a big fire in the summer. The fire does not proceed on trees. The fire proceeds on the ground fuel. Dead wood and fire zones should be cleared during the winter. It is unacceptable to lose houses and people. Greece here, every year the same. They never clean the ground, and then blame it on the wind, how big the fire grew, etc...

[@dlo111]

These forests are vast. Some forests are as large as a European country. It would be impossible to clear all of them. The logging companies need to be held to clearing out their piles when they leave a cut.

[@xena2559]

Oh really. Then how did big forests survive over centuries?

[@winterlinde5395]

Only: in winter can get difficult- in Canada.

[@dimitristripakis7364]

@@dlo111 You are supposed to clean the borders of cities, especially a zone left and right of the roads, which is easier because workers don't have to walk, so when the big fire comes, the fire brigade of the city can fight the fire moving on the road without huge flames right next to them. I mean defend the cities. Surely Canada can not carve fire strips to save the vast forests, this is not possible even in Greece, too vast.

[@dimitristripakis7364]

@@xena2559 A forest is normal to burn every 25-50 years, in fact it is a part of its cycle. Within 25 years a burnt forest is back tk what it was. In my area (Mani, Greece) there are forests which belonged to my wife's great grandparents. These were meadows, they bred cows and sheep in them. Now they are thick pinetree forest. The forest will naturally expand over the years and consume everything, if left alone. No problem there. How do you thing civilization cooked their food through the centuries? The forest regrows.

[@29aaronjones]

And why was she wearing red during this time of fire and loss? So disrespectful

[@pambp5978]

You are wearing red in your pic??? Is that meaningful?