Banff-still beautiful after summer fires?
Feb 25th, 2004, 05:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Banff-still beautiful after summer fires?
Can anyone help me here please, I'm desperate for info on the situation and status of the Rockies area. I'm planning a long awaited trip to Canada in June/July '04 and was told by my travel agent that last summer there was a devestating fire swept through the Banff/Jasper Rockies areas. Does that mean I should not bother going to the West and instead travel to the East:Montreal/Quebec area. Is it still worth it to go to Rockies? I had planned on going on the Rocky Mountaineer Railway Trip too, and that is a very expensive trip for me so I need to plan carefully. Thanks in advance!
Feb 25th, 2004, 08:56 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
There were major fires in the mountain parks last summer. But the areas of real devistation are not visible to a tourist. You can see some burned areas, but for most part, views are no different from 2 years ago.
It is still totally worth going to the Rockies.
It is still totally worth going to the Rockies.
Feb 25th, 2004, 09:24 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The reports of fire damage in Banff and Jasper are greatly exaggerated!! (or your travel agent has some really bad information!!)
First of all, Jasper and Banff National parks are very big - almost 6800 square miles combined.
The distance between Banff townsite and Jasper townsite is approximately 180 miles, and there is no evidence of fires along the Icefield Parkway (the highway connecting the two places).
The fire in Jasper National park started as a proscribed burn, and got out of control due to dry conditions and wind. However, the fire was two valleys (mountain chains) to the east of Jasper townsite. We happened to be in Jasper during that fire, and did not notice anything in Jasper townsite or the main tourist attractions, but did notice the smoke drifting acros the highway and some small wildfires some distance east of the town when we drove home (eastwards).
The fires that affected Banff the most were in Kootenay National Park and on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. There was very thick smoke around Banff and Lake Louise, and there were threats of power interruptions. But none of the scenic tourist areas in Banff or Lake Louise burned, we drove through Banff and Lake Louise last August and saw lots of smoke but no fires. (Actually the fires were much worse in the interior of British Columbia and in Crowsnest Pass quite a distance south of the National Parks).
We were in Banff again 10 days ago, it was as lovely as always, and if you hadn't asked the question, I wouldn't have remembered that there were fires last summer.
First of all, Jasper and Banff National parks are very big - almost 6800 square miles combined.
The distance between Banff townsite and Jasper townsite is approximately 180 miles, and there is no evidence of fires along the Icefield Parkway (the highway connecting the two places).
The fire in Jasper National park started as a proscribed burn, and got out of control due to dry conditions and wind. However, the fire was two valleys (mountain chains) to the east of Jasper townsite. We happened to be in Jasper during that fire, and did not notice anything in Jasper townsite or the main tourist attractions, but did notice the smoke drifting acros the highway and some small wildfires some distance east of the town when we drove home (eastwards).
The fires that affected Banff the most were in Kootenay National Park and on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. There was very thick smoke around Banff and Lake Louise, and there were threats of power interruptions. But none of the scenic tourist areas in Banff or Lake Louise burned, we drove through Banff and Lake Louise last August and saw lots of smoke but no fires. (Actually the fires were much worse in the interior of British Columbia and in Crowsnest Pass quite a distance south of the National Parks).
We were in Banff again 10 days ago, it was as lovely as always, and if you hadn't asked the question, I wouldn't have remembered that there were fires last summer.
Feb 27th, 2004, 06:22 AM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There were more than threats of power interruptions! 
(I remember when the lights came on again, the East Coast was still blacked out, and I thought for a second-- wow how big was this blackout?)
But I agree that even at the height of the fires it only affected us in small ways (one or two hikes we couldn't do, a few hours of blackout, a smokey smell in Banff townsite).
Just more evidence that (IMO) most travel agents are useless; don't give up the opportunity for what will be a great trip!
(I remember when the lights came on again, the East Coast was still blacked out, and I thought for a second-- wow how big was this blackout?)But I agree that even at the height of the fires it only affected us in small ways (one or two hikes we couldn't do, a few hours of blackout, a smokey smell in Banff townsite).
Just more evidence that (IMO) most travel agents are useless; don't give up the opportunity for what will be a great trip!
Feb 27th, 2004, 09:21 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I completely agree with the above comments. My husband and I visited during the height of the forest fires last summer, and still thought it was one of the most beautiful spots we had ever been.
We experienced problems created by the fires only in the Jasper area. The road to Miette Hot Springs was closed, we saw the fire and many helicopters with flame retardant overhead as we made our way to and from a daytrip to Mt. Robson, and the pervasive smoke made hiking difficult. None of this detracted from the great natural beauty or our enjoyment of the area. I'd say, go for it - your agent is misinformed!
We experienced problems created by the fires only in the Jasper area. The road to Miette Hot Springs was closed, we saw the fire and many helicopters with flame retardant overhead as we made our way to and from a daytrip to Mt. Robson, and the pervasive smoke made hiking difficult. None of this detracted from the great natural beauty or our enjoyment of the area. I'd say, go for it - your agent is misinformed!
Feb 27th, 2004, 03:38 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the reassurances! I can now gladly invest my savings into this trip knowing I won't be disappointed. Thanks to all for replying, I knew I can get up to the minute info best on this site! Fantastic!
