Surviving the Flames: A Story of Resilience

A bull elk stands amongst burnt pine trees during the fall rut in Jasper National Park 

Despite large portions of Jasper National Park still being closed, I knew I had to visit this September. It wasn’t just to document the elk rut—something I’ve done countless times over the years—but to tell a deeper story. A story of survival. This time, the focus wasn’t solely on the battles of rival bulls or the seasonal dramas of mating rituals. It was about survival after one of the most devastating fires in the park’s history. These elk, standing tall amidst the charred remains of their habitat, became symbols of resilience—living proof that life moves on, despite the challenges.

A bull elk emerges from the burnt forest into a meadow unaffected by the fire

As I visited their familiar haunts, places I had photographed year after year, I found them in the same spots—yet everything was different. Blackened trees now surrounded them, some areas still blanketed in ash while others showed signs of life, with fresh green shoots bravely pushing through the scorched earth. The elk seemed unfazed, their behaviors unchanged. But beneath that calm exterior, I couldn’t help but wonder about the stress they’d endured, how they’d adapted to this new, eerie landscape. Despite it all, they continued as they always had, navigating a changed world, forging ahead to bring forth new life.

A bull elk stands in front of charred trees while another bull reamins in the forest where new grass is beginning to emerge

During my visit, more of the park was opening as crews worked tirelessly to clear fallen trees and make the area safe. Old Fort Road opened while I was there, and I took the opportunity to explore. Just over the bridge, I spotted two female bighorn sheep and a spring lamb perched on a ridge. It was a poignant moment—meeting a park warden nearby, he admitted it was the first time he’d seen the sheep since the fire. The sight moved him deeply, knowing these resilient creatures had survived, likely climbing higher into the mountains, above the fire line. As the sheep stood atop the ridge, I couldn’t help but wonder about their story—what they had witnessed, what they had endured, and where the rest of their herd was, normally ten strong.

One of the three mountain sheep who made their first appearance after the fire

We gave them space as they made their way down toward the river, their movements another reminder of nature’s perseverance. Like the elk, they pressed forward, with no choice but to survive. The long-term effects of the fire are yet to be fully understood. As I gazed across the kilometers of forest, stripped bare by the flames, it was heartbreaking. The loss of habitat, of shelter for the wildlife, was overwhelming. Yet, despite the devastation, the wildlife remains. They have no choice but to adapt, to keep moving forward.

A coyote moves across an area at the edge of fire a mixture of affected and unaffected areas

With death, however, comes new life. The fire may have claimed countless trees, but it also created opportunities. Acorns, only activated by the heat of fire, will now take root. Over time, a new forest will grow. And with it, new opportunities for wildlife to thrive.

An area of heavily damanged forest still showing the remnants of the ash from the fire

I often wonder, if these animals could speak, what stories they would tell about how they survived the flames. Where did they go to escape the heat and smoke? How did they cope with the fear? Watching the elk rut this fall filled me with hope—not just for the park but for our world. Nature, in all its forms, has an incredible capacity to endure and overcome. Jasper National Park may be forever changed, but it stands as a testament to the resilience that defines all living things.

A bull elk bugles to his harem during an afternoon rest

I want to acknowledge the tragedy this fire brought to the community of Jasper—the lives disrupted, the livelihoods affected. My heart goes out to all those impacted. Recovery will take time, but if there’s one thing nature teaches us, it’s that with time comes renewal.