Campfire costs tourists $25 each

Three visitors have been found guilty of setting camp fires in Jasper National Park while hiking in the park. 

Benefit for explosion victims set

A barbecue is being held in the CIBC parking lot on Friday, July 30 to assist the victims of the Pyramid Riding Stables explosion.

Campfire costs tourists $25 each

Three visitors have been found guilty of setting camp fires in Jasper National Park while hiking in the park. 

Nathan Priest, Dylan Simpson and Sean St. Croix were fined $25 each at the July 22 session of Jasper Provincial Court. They were spotted on May 31 by a Parks Canada garbage truck driver starting the fire somewhere in the park. The men said they started the fire on a raised berm of a tree root, in a relatively safe area.

“Anywhere else in the free world, you can build a fire to warm yourself. Here, you can’t,” said Judge Don Norheim.

“We just did it on the spur of the moment really,” said St. Croix. “We were out walking the trails and just thought it would be a good idea.”

“It’s typically pretty dangerous to do this in the summer,” said the judge. Then, referring to the wet weather of recent months, he added, “Well, maybe not this summer.” Much of the courtroom then burst into laughter.

The three men have until September 9 to pay their fine. 

Benefit for explosion victims set

A barbecue is being held in the CIBC parking lot on Friday, July 30 to assist the victims of the Pyramid Riding Stables explosion.

Hosted by Community Outreach Services, the barbecue will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and all items will be purchased by donation. 

Jake Derksen from Community Outreach Services said they will be serving hot dogs and burgers and there will be a bake sale as well. They are hoping to have live entertainment at the event as well. 

The money will be given to the victims of the fire to decide what they would like to do with it. 

“They’re going to have a meeting and decide,” Derksen said.

Already hundreds of dollars in donations have been pouring in to assist the victims, Derksen said. 

Anyone wishing to help can drop off items for the victims at the outreach centre. A bank account has been set up at the TD Bank that is accepting donations as well. 

This past weekend’s Skinny Basketball Tournament raised about $250 for the victims. Ryan Verge from Youth Outreach Services said the donations stemmed from a can set up near the barbecue. 

“It was kind of amazing we made that,” Verge said. 

With the tournament over, organizers are meeting to determine the victim’s needs, and will put the money towards them. For now the money will remain in the Jasper Community Caring Fund.