Jasper Wildfire Clean-Up
Jasper Wildfire Clean-Up
Location
Jasper National Park, AB
Key Services
- Wildfire debris removal and environmental clean-up across Jasper National Park and the Jasper townsite.
- Demolition and removal of fire-damaged residential, commercial, and Parks Canada structures.
- Identification, segregation, and disposal of hazardous materials, including asbestos, ash, hydrocarbons, and contaminated soils.
- Excavation, transportation, and disposal of contaminated soil to protect human health and the surrounding environment.
- Air, soil, and environmental monitoring to maintain regulatory compliance and public safety.
- Wildlife-sensitive construction and erosion control within environmentally protected areas.
- Aggregate import, backfill, and site restoration to support long-term recovery and reuse.
- Indigenous participation and collaboration supporting environmental stewardship and community recovery.
Description
The Jasper National Park Wildfire Clean-up project was initiated following the catastrophic July 2024 wildfire that impacted Jasper National Park and the surrounding townsite. Milestone Environmental Contracting was retained by Parks Canada to complete the removal and remediation of fire-damaged structures and contaminated materials across residential areas, park infrastructure, and environmentally sensitive lands.
Working under complex post-wildfire conditions, the project involved demolition, hazardous material management, contaminated soil excavation, and environmental monitoring across 76 distinct sites throughout Jasper National Park and the Jasper townsite. The work was completed within an active community and nationally protected park environment, requiring careful coordination to protect public safety, wildlife, waterways, and culturally significant areas.
Beyond debris removal, the project supported broader community and environmental recovery efforts by restoring sites to safe and reusable conditions while maintaining a minimal construction footprint. Through adaptive planning, specialized equipment, and strong collaboration with Indigenous partners and Parks Canada, Milestone helped advance the long-term recovery of one of Canada’s most iconic natural landscapes.
Key Challenges
- Structurally compromised fire-damaged buildings and hazardous ash containing asbestos, metals, and toxic combustion by-products.
- Restricted access and unstable working conditions caused by steep terrain, damaged roads, and compromised infrastructure.
- Working within active residential and tourism areas while protecting wildlife, waterways, and sensitive post-fire landscapes.
- Managing rapidly changing site conditions and evolving project scope throughout ongoing recovery efforts.
- Maintaining regulatory compliance and environmental protection requirements within a nationally protected park environment.
Key Solutions
- Deployed specialized spider excavators to safely complete debris removal on steep and unstable terrain while minimizing soil disturbance.
- Utilized HazMat-certified crews, dust suppression measures, negative-pressure systems, and mobile decontamination units to protect workers and the public.
- Implemented continuous air, soil, and water monitoring to maintain compliance and respond quickly to emerging environmental risks.
- Adapted project administration and reporting workflows to manage evolving site conditions and changing contract requirements.
- Applied erosion control and wildlife-sensitive construction practices to reduce impacts within the protected park environment.
Project Scope
- Remediation and clean-up of 76 sites across Jasper National Park and the Jasper townsite.
- Demolition and removal of fire-damaged residential, commercial, and Parks Canada structures.
- Identification, segregation, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated debris.
- Excavation and disposal of contaminated soils to protect human health and surrounding ecosystems.
- Environmental monitoring, including air, soil, and site condition monitoring throughout construction.
- Aggregate import, backfill, and site stabilization to restore impacted areas to safe and reusable conditions.
- Implementation of erosion control and wildlife-sensitive construction practices within protected park lands.
- Coordination of recovery and remediation activities within active residential, tourism, and environmentally sensitive areas.
Indigenous Engagement
Indigenous engagement was meaningfully integrated throughout both the planning and execution phases of the project. Working in collaboration with Parks Canada, the project team ensured culturally significant areas were identified, respected, and protected throughout remediation activities within Jasper National Park.
The project originally targeted 900 Indigenous employment hours through its Indigenous Participation Plan (IPP). As the project scope expanded, the team significantly exceeded this commitment, achieving 6,950 Indigenous employment hours and supporting meaningful economic participation throughout the project lifecycle.
The project also incorporated Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship practices related to wildlife movement, erosion control, and land protection. This collaborative approach strengthened long-term relationships, supported community participation, and reinforced Milestone’s commitment to reconciliation and responsible environmental recovery.