Jasper residents on edge after fire ban put in place

When Chris Nissenheardabout the B.C. wildfires two weeks ago, he went to his Jasper home and packed an emergency bag for the first time in 30 years.

The bag is full: camping gear, fire-resistant gloves, all of his family's important paperwork and his best photo albums.

• Fire ban issued for high-risk Jasper National Park
• Jasper Mayor, MP sound alarm over fire risk in national park

Nissenkeeps his car full of gas in case an evacuation call ever comes.

Parks Canada issued a fire ban for Jasper National Park Tuesday because of the high risk of fire danger.The Municipality of Jasper has also issued a fire ban for the Jasper town site.

On Wednesday, people camping illegally set a fire in the Pyramid Bench area, just outside of Jasper.

Emergency crews responded around3 p.m., and the fire was quickly extinguished.

"This is exactly why we don't allow camping outside of designated campsites," said Steve Young,Parks Canadaspokesperson for Jasper National Park.

'There's just all this fear'

"We have smoke coming from the east, from the south and possibly from the north...converging in our valley," said Jasper fire ChiefGreg VanTighem. "It doesn't happen that often."

The closest wildfire is burning atKinbasket Lake, in a remote area 75 kilometres southwest of Jasper on the B.C. side of the Rockies, but Jasper residents and visitorsare still on edge.

Kimberley Stark owns the Bear's Paw Bakery and a bed and breakfast on Jasper's main street. She hears concern from international travellers every day.

"They don't know where to go for information," Stark said. "I've had visitors ask me if roads are open, are you able to camp?

"There's just all this fear."

Young said at least 20 people filed for campsite refunds Sunday afterleaving the park with concernsover air quality and personalsafety.

Van Tighemsaid some international visitors are unsure what to do when they seesee smoke.

"They get concerned and think the fires are closer than they are," he said.

Mayor says 'be prepared'

Jasper suffered from severalfires over the years, including the Medicine Lake fire near Excelsior Creek in 2015, and theTalbot Lake fire in 2003.

The pine beetle has also devastated the forest around the town, said Van Tighem. The bug burrows into tree bark, dries out the wood and kills the tree in a matter of weeks leaving them up to2.5 times more flammable than normal.

"We would definitely be seeinga very hot, very fast-moving fire if it were to start at the west of town," he said. "Given the right conditions, it could be catastrophic."

The state of Jasper's forest is such a concern that Yellowhead MP Jim Eglinskibrought it to the House of Commons on June 16.

The Municipality of Jasperweb site describes the procedures for an evacuation, including the broadcast of an evacuation order through RCMP.

Mayor Richard Ireland said evacuation plans would depend on how a fire is spreading. There are three highway routes out of Jasper.

"We're not at risk right now ... but be prepared," Ireland said. "Everyone has a role to play in these situations, even if that means taking care of yourself for a few days."

As a precaution, the municipality is telling every resident to have a bag full of supplies, emergency food, flashlights and a portable radio at their disposal in case an evacuation happens.

anna.desmarais@cbc.ca

@anna_desmarais