Jasper Wildfires 2024

August 6, 2025 By: Logan Forman

Documentary Reflection-Jasper Wildfires 2024)

Media Report: “2024 Jasper Wildfires prompt emergency evacuation; climate change intensifies fire season” CBC News, July 2024.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-wildfire-evacuation-2024-1.7209173

Position and Analysis:

July 2024 brought devastating wildfires to the Jasper National Park region. These wildfires were responsible for evacuations, park closures, tourism disruptions, and the unimaginable damage to many forests.[1] This specific example of wildfires highlights the impacts associated with climate change in Western Canada. The wildfires reignited the tensions between conservation, tourism, and Indigenous rights as the main actors related to this crisis are all viewing the tragedy in a different light. The Jasper wildfires illustrate how civil disobedience can lead to impactful changes in environmental policy and climate action, especially when local and Indigenous communities lead the charge.

A featured documentary in the course, How to Change the World, highlights the origins of Greenpeace demonstrations and how civil disobedience through blockades, the media, and protests can spark new environmental consciousness. Jasper was no exception; these tactics were implemented as Indigenous fire guardians and residents protested in the wake of being excluded from provincial fire response planning. The demands from the people included the implementation of cultural fire burns, a stronger climate mitigation strategy, and the indigenous co-management of parklands.

The media painted the protestors as disruptive and blamed them for the downturn in tourism and local business. However, similar to Greenpeace’s early struggles, the protests gained public support after the photos of the destruction were made public. The images included burned wildlife corridors and overwhelmed fire crews battling the devastating flames. After the public outcry, Parks Canada committed to enhancing Indigenous-led fire management, and the province pledged more funding. This funding will help with protective burns and the ecological restoration Jasper desperately needs.

The support for this argument is based on the 2023 Fairy Creek blockades on Vancouver Island. Old-growth Forest defenders stalled logging operations, and these blockades were the catalyst for increased scrutiny directed at BC’s forestry practices.[2] This finally led to international media attention that helped change legislation surrounding old-growth protection. Jasper has a similar issue, and the blockades in Jasper, as well as the protests, made a difference and helped the community and future opportunities for every stakeholder in the park.

Both cases highlight the need for peaceful civil disobedience, as these examples prove that with local expertise, civil disobedience can elevate issues and influence the government’s actions.  As the climate changes, history and documentaries share a stark reminder that real environmental change begins with ordinary people who decide to make a difference. This difference will continue to push for reform and challenge the government’s policies. [3]

[1] CBC News, “2024 Jasper Wildfires Prompt Emergency Evacuation; Climate Change Intensifies Fire Season.” CBC News, July 15, 2024.

[2] Leyland Cecco, “Canada Protestors Block Logging of Ancient Trees in Fairy Creek,” The Guardian, May 25, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/25/fairy-creek-british-columbia-ancient-tree-protests.

[3] Jerry Rothwell, How to Change the World (London: Sky Films, 2015), documentary film.

 

 

Bibliography:

 

CBC News, “2024 Jasper Wildfires Prompt Emergency Evacuation; Climate Change Intensifies Fire Season.” CBC News, July 15, 2024. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-wildfire-evacuation-2024-1.7209173

Leyland Cecco, “Canada Protestors Block Logging of Ancient Trees in Fairy Creek,” The Guardian, May 25, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/25/fairy-creek-british-columbia-ancient-tree-protests.

Rothwell, Jerry. How to Change the World. London: Sky Films, 2015. Documentary film.