OTTAWA – Vast stands of dead trees ravaged by the mountain pine beetle that surrounded the townsite in Jasper National Park may have been a contributing factor to the devastating blaze that destroyed hundreds of homes, say forest scientists, but ultimately not as pivotal as the high winds, hot temperatures and overall dry conditions.

“You’re going to get a high intensity crown fire under those conditions, with or without mountain-pine-beetle kill,” said Jen Beverly, an associate professor at the University of Alberta.