Recent coverage of the ongoing Jasper wildfires

IN THIS EMAIL:

- Learn about how the Jasper wildfires are affecting wildlife in a piece by Canmore-based nature photographer John E. Marriott

- Read a story by Banff-based travel writer Meghan Ward who reflects on memories from Jasper National Park with images by adventure photographer Paul Zizka

- Author Stephen J. Pyne explores the topic of Canada's history with fire and discusses a new era, equivalent to the ice age, that he calls the Pyrocene

I have special memories of Jasper National Park. Many years ago, when my husband and I lived in Edmonton, we made a point of visiting Jasper in every season. We were two east-coasters in our early 20s, figuring out life far from home and family, but those mountain vistas made us feel brave and adventurous — like anything was possible.

Canadian Geographic rarely covers breaking news — we’re the outlet you come to months or years after an event for an in-depth assessment of its impact. But when I woke to the news last week that a fast-moving wildfire had entered the Jasper townsite, I knew we needed to do a story. I wanted a piece that would speak to Jasper as a place and acknowledge that this was a tremendous and deeply personal loss for hundreds of thousands of people in Canada and around the world. Meghan J. Ward has written that piece, reflecting on the outpouring of stories, memories and love that has followed in the fire’s wake. Love can’t bring back what was lost, but it can give us strength in hard times and hope for the future.

We’ve published other stories that help answer some of the most common questions about the Jasper fire, including how it will impact the beloved megafauna of the park. And we’ve brought back some of our previous fire coverage, including an eye-opening map of the past 100 years of forest fires in Canada.

How will the Jasper wildfire affect wildlife?
A Canmore, Alta., based wildlife and nature photographer reflects on how bears and wolves could be faring in the midst of the fire, and shares some of his most memorable photos

Story and photography by John E. Marriott

An aerial shot of Maligne Lake.

The making of memories in Jasper National Park

Banff-based travel writer Meghan J. Ward reflects on her love of Jasper and the impact of the devastating wildfires

By Meghan J. Ward with photography by Paul Zizka

An elk looks back at the Chetamon wildfire in Jasper, Alta. in Sept. 2022. (Photo: www.KamalaKylePhotography.com/Can Geo Photo Club)

Splendour and Awfulness

Stephen J. Pyne, the author of Awful Splendour: A fire history of Canada, says we are well beyond learning to live with fire — we now have to live with a fire age
By Stephen Pyne

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