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Wildfire season is officially upon us.
As of March 1, forest areas, firefighters, equipment and aircraft are being put in place as part of Alberta’s commitment to wildfire response.
But emergency preparedness starts at home.
“Every individual has a role to play and responsibility and need to take care of themselves and families ahead of time,” said Jasper fire chief Greg Van Tighem. “Think about it right now. Be prepared ahead of time.”
Van Tighem, also the town’s director of protective services, said the better prepared residents are, the less strain would be on the first responders dealing with “the bigger picture.”
A new FireSmart initiative is being rolled out in Jasper. Eight trained representatives are approaching residential areas in town to try to make neighbourhoods safer.
The reps will go into communities, for example the Caribou Co-ops or Stone Mountain, find people interested in being leaders, do a hazard evaluation of properties and structures, and work with individuals and groups to make their homes safer.
Van Tighem said: “The number one cause of loss is not because of flames, but embers flying through the air ahead of the flames. Just look at properties like if there is an ember shower - what would be combustible?”
The project will see residents doing things in their own backyards to make their properties safer, like removing combustible vegetation, cleaning debris from roofs and eavestroughs, and removing combustibles near the house, like piles of firewood or children’s plastic toys - “anything that would be an ember-catcher.”
Van Tighem said: “If there is a big wildfire it is going to be a busy time for people. The more that can be done on a local backyard, level the easier it will be for the firefighters to deal with the big picture.
“If we are not chasing little issues we can spend more time in the big issues.”
Last year there were no significant wildfires in Jasper National Park.
A fire ban was in place for six weeks from May to July and a helicopter and fire crew were on standby for 65 days during high to extreme fire danger conditions.
The fire crew was called out to 20 illegal campfires and quickly extinguished small lightning-caused fires at Wabasso Lake and Portal Creek.
In the fall of 2018, Parks Canada and the Jasper Fire Department began work to reduce the amount of dead and dying trees in Jasper.
More than 50 hectares of land were worked on around town, just five hectares short of the goal due to extreme weather conditions.
And officials in Jasper are feeling good about the season ahead.
Christine Nadon, communications manager for the municipality, said: “With that project and what is going on at Pyramid Bench and FireSmart, we are approaching fire season in a completely different situation than last year which is good for the community.”
Last year, Parks Canada and the Jasper council hosted public presentations to let residents know about how they work and train together to prepare in the event of a wildfire near town.
The first week in May is Emergency Preparedness Week and a similar event will be held.
Nadon said: “We work very closely with Parks so having an event together is in everybody’s best interests.”
She urged the public to be aware, get a kit, and make a plan.
Where to Find Emergency Information
While first responders are busy dealing with a community emergency, your responsibility is to know where to find information and have a plan to look after yourself and your family for 72 hours.
In the event of a wildfire, Parks Canada will provide up-to-date information on Facebook and Twitter. You can subscribe to the JNP fire information email list by contacting [email protected].
In the event of a community emergency, including a wildfire, official information from the Municipality of Jasper will be broadcast on the Municipality of Jasper website, Community and Family Services Facebook page, the Alberta Emergency Alert (emergencyalert.alberta.ca) and the Jasper Emergency Information Hotline at 780-852-3311.
Visit the municipal website and subscribe to receive municipal Emergency Alerts by text or email.
