JASPER, ALTA. — Parks Canada officials and politicians angrily denied Monday that forest management policies in Jasper National Park contributed to a catastrophic wildfire that damaged one-third of the townsite. Ron Hallman, CEO of the federal agency, said it was “ridiculous” to assert his organization puts a higher value on nature than people. “That is offensive, frankly,” he said. “There is nothing that is more important to Parks Canada than the safety of our employees, our guests and the people that we work with.” …Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland called the response to the Jasper wildfire a success. He said the town and Parks Canada were aware of the risk and took steps to prepare the town against them, such as becoming one of Canada’s first FireSmart communities. …Steve Carr, executive director with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, said exercises were done six weeks ago in anticipation of such an event.

Additional coverage in the Edmonton Journal by David Staples: What did we expect to happen with the dangerous, dry and dying Jasper forest?