'Chaotic': Private firefighters threatened with arrest if they defended structures in Jasper
'It was not until reports of the buildings were on fire that fire crews deployed to save the townsite,' said Kris Liivam of Arctic Fire Safety.
Kris Liivam, of Arctic Fire Safety testified before the Commons Environment Committee Monday that he mustered 20 trucks and 50 highly-trained professional firefighters in Hinton to assist in the efforts to save the Jasper townsite from the wildfire that began in the national park but was told to stand down or be arrested and escorted out.
Liivam also told the committee that Parks Canada, under the management of Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, had installed hydrants in Jasper that were incompatible with all the municipal fire departments in Alberta and British Columbia.
Under questioning from Conservative members of the committee, Liivam said he was denied access to water supplies to fight fires, and was told to "stand down" and watch residential areas of the town burn.
Parks Canada has been under fire for failing to eliminate the fuel load created by mountain pine beetle damage to the forest in the decade before the fire which started in the park, despite years of warnings. The fire claimed 30% of the UNESCO world heritage site causing $2 billion in damage.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Alberta Bureau Chief for Rebel News and host of the weekly The Gunn Show with Sheila Gunn Reid. She's a mother of three, conservative activist, and the author of best-selling books including Stop Notley.
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Robin Naismith commented 2024-10-11 19:19:16 -0400Parks Canada of Jasper is a DISGRACE -
Robin Naismith commented 2024-10-11 19:13:25 -0400I wanted to add my two cents into this situation because I think what Parks Canada wanted to do towards the firefights whom wanted to save Jasper, was to have them arrested. This is Absolutely Disgracefull of Parks Canada and to me,these individuals should be arrested themselves
