Parks Canada, Indigenous Partners Tie Up to Reduce Wildfire Risks at Jasper National Park

Parks Canada and Indigenous partners are working to decrease wildfire risks at the Cultural Use Area in Jasper National Park (Alberta).

As per a report, work will continue within four hectares (ten acres) around the Sixth Bridge turnoff to Maligne Canyon through March while the ground remains frozen.

Contracts for the work have been awarded to community businesses located on the land, Parks Canada says, in the spirit of relationship building and learning from Indigenous partners and ensuring active participation in reducing the risk of wildfires on these lands.

The mountain pine beetle has destroyed many pine trees in the Cultural Use Area, increasing the possibility of wildfire and the risk to public safety.

Wildfire risk reduction requires care to minimize disturbance to nearby vegetation and to preserve the cultural and spiritual significance of the area.

Crews will selectively take down dead pine trees while preserving trees such as the Douglas-fir aspen.

Site monitors with traditional knowledge will ensure that field workers and contractors adhere to cultural protocols and respect buffers around features of cultural and spiritual significance.

The area is cooperatively managed by the Cultural Use Area Advisory Group.

This story originally appeared on National Parks Traveler.