A year after the ravages of a fire, the new face of Jasper

For longtime campers who find Jasper National Park almost a year after the devastating forest fire last summer, the stay can be surreal, as the place has a radically transformed face.

Two of the largest and most popular campsite, They are et Whistlersare almost devoid of trees.

On the slopes of the mountains which border the 93 motorway. Meanwhile, which overhang the two camping sites, the trees are steep like calcined matches.

The landscape is radically different with regard to panoramasfinds it Graham WyldeResponsible for the. Therefore, experience of Jasper visitors to Parcs Canada.

Everyone will see things differently. Therefore, depending on their previous links [avec le parc national Jasper] Or its perception of year after ravages fire, new what an area affected by a fire is.

Prepare the land for visitors – Year after ravages fire, new

Since last fall. Furthermore, the Canada Parks teams have been working to prepare the park to welcome visitors by removing the debris from the trails, roads, land and facilities.

They are also working to shoot dangerous trees, reconnect public services and install traffic signs.

Parks Canada also rebuilt more than 1000 picnic tables last winter.

Graham Wylde Recommend to visitors to provide shelters against the wind or the sun given the low wooded cover.

About 30 % of the campsite field They areor 120 of the 400 locations, are open to campers this season. Further, to Whistlers100 % of the locations are open.

Nearly 25. 000 people were evacuated from year after ravages fire, new the community and the national park on July 22, 2024 due to a fire triggered by lightning and which destroyed a third of the structures of the municipality.

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A shock for former visitors

Among the locations year after ravages fire, new to rent at the campsite peace during the week of July 7 to 13. 97 % were occupied, while 99 % were reserved for WhistlersIndicates Parks Canada.

These camping terrains had their regular visitors. such as Yudit Normandeau, from Edmonton, who makes the trip each year with his extended family to their favorite site in Wapiti.

There is no privacy, it’s truesaid Yudit Normandeau, discovering the new aspect of the place. But when you walk, everyone says hello or good night.

Ash Shipping9, is part of the extended Normandeau family and remembers Wapiti two years ago.

I was a little sad for the trees because they were all burnedhe said.

It was a little disappointing not to see squirrels or bear, or other animalssaid Myra Dawnay, 17 years old.

Heather year after ravages fire, new Kindopp California arrived with his family after a stop at the Banff National Park. I was shocked last night to see that there were no more treesshe said. There is nothing left that separates you from your neighbors, it’s very open.

Parks Canada plans to rebuild the campsite They are Within three to five years to find his full capacity.

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The new landscape. a reflection of life

Despite everything, Graham Wylde, From Parks Canada, believes that the new landscape offers the opportunity to see more closely what is hidden under the ground: Previously, what was hidden by the trees is now bare and the incredible views of the mountains are just at the door of tents or recreational vehicles.

On the slopes of the mountains, there are valleys, ridges, waterfalls and streams.

It is a fairly striking difference, but the region has regained its beauty after the fireadd Graham Wylde.

Yudit Normandeau also considers the landscape as a reflection of life.

Sometimes we go through year after ravages fire, new periods when everything is green. then everything is brown, burned and devastated, but it is only from there that we can get up.

Jasper will probably be the most pleasant and most beautiful place we have knownshe adds.

With information from Natasha Riebe