Visitors at Old Fort Point are witnessing a transformed landscape post-Jasper wildfire, reminiscent of the early 1900s scenery. As nature begins to rejuvenate following the massive wildfire, hikers on the popular trail are engaging in a citizen science initiative to document the area’s renewal.
Parks Canada and the University of Waterloo have partnered to collect photos from three key locations on the trail, utilizing GeoReach, a University of Waterloo program that tracks changes in landforms post-natural disasters such as forest fires.
By replicating historic photos through repeat photography, researchers can monitor landscape changes over time. Cellphone stands have been installed along the 3.8-kilometer hike for visitors to capture images and upload them directly to the GeoReach website for analysis and public viewing.
The post-fire landscape is showing signs of life with vibrant grass, purple fleabane, yellow arnica, and fireweed beginning to flourish. Aspen trees, although appearing intact, have suffered internal damage from the wildfire’s heat, prompting regeneration through existing root systems.
The regrowth post-fire is providing nutritious grass for wildlife, benefiting species like elk and deer. The ecosystem is transitioning into a grassland with deciduous trees, marking a new beginning for the area.
Despite the devastation caused by the Jasper wildfire complex, which resulted in structural damage and human displacement, the natural cycle of wildfires is essential for the forest’s health, according to Kevin Gedling of Parks Canada.
He emphasized that while the fire had negative impacts, it is a crucial process for the forest’s regeneration.
