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It has been a busy week for Jasper National Park fire crews, as they have followed up on more than 50 lightning strikes from Sunday night.
Lightning strikes are rarer in Jasper than in other parts of the province due to the natural shelter provided by the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains.
However, last week was an exception as the park received numerous lightning storm events over several days.
Parks Canada said the strikes were spread out across the park - from the southern boundary with British Columbia, around the Jasper townsite and along the eastern and western boundaries.
Fire management specialists from Parks use a lightning detection system to monitor and track the location of lightning activity in real-time across the park.
From that information, crews decide when and where to check and monitor sites by helicopter for signs of fire.
There has been no sign of wildfire yet, but fire from lightning can smoulder in a tree or underground for several days before flaring up and creating enough smoke or flame to be obvious to the eye.
And with the fire danger rating currently at Extreme in Jasper, crews are keeping an especially close eye on conditions.
There is no fire ban at this time, but Parks reminds residents and visitors to safely enjoy campfires in Jasper by building fires only in designated fire pits or boxes at campsite or day-use areas.
Keep fires small and under control, never leave flames unattended, and completely extinguish campfires with water. Soak it, stir it, and soak it again until it is cool to the touch before leaving it.
Cigarettes should never be thrown on the ground, but extinguished and discarded into a bin.
Call Parks Canada Dispatch 780-852-6155 or 911 if you spot any sign of wildfire.
