Prescribed burn planned for Sunday in Jasper National Park

If you see smoke hovering over Jasper National Park this weekend, don't panic.

On Sunday, fire management crews are doing a prescribed burn of 102 hectares of land inthe Jackladder area of the park, around 14 kilometres north of the Town of Jasper between Highway 16 and the Athabasca River.

The burn will cover an area the size of 204 football fields, or half the size of the Town of Jasper,fire communications officer Kim Weir said. It's not a particularly large burn, she said, butbecause it'll be alongside Highway 16, motorists will get the best view.

"It will be a pretty good show," Weir said. "Likely some flames and smoke."

There's no risk to motorists, though.

Weirsaid southwest winds should push most of the smoke away from Highway 16, butcrews will monitor the route all dayand may put a speed zone in place if smoke drifts across the highway.

The purpose of the burn is grassland restoration. Fire officials say the burn will help bring back open, valley bottom grasslands that were historically present in the area. The burn restores the landscape and improves biodiversityof grassland habitat.

Crews will ignite the fire using hand torches and with an aerial ignition. The fire is contained by natural and man-made barriers in the area.

Temporary area closures will be in place during the burn. Affected areas include Overlander Trail and the airfield day-use area.

Visit pc.gc.ca/jasperalerts for more details.