'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
“I like to be able to help people,” said the 18-year-old. “I like the fact that what I do in my work does good.”
Knull is a volunteer firefighter in the North Okanagan. She was working a summer job as part of the kitchen staff at a Jasper lodge when, on Monday night, an evacuation order was issued for the area.
“The smoke was coming up from the mountainside,” said Knull. “It was big.”
Knull quickly spread the word to guests of the lodge and tracked down any other people camping out in the area.
In total, she rallied 16 people together for a four-hour hike in treacherous terrain to safety.
“There was more intense smoke, my eyes were burning, there was ash falling constantly,” said Rebecca Tocher, a hiker who was in Knull’s group.
“She was an amazing leader and was just making sure that everyone was working together.”
Knull used her knowledge of the area and tracking skills to navigate in the dark.
“I had previously rode up a horse up to that lodge on that same trail and throughout the way me and my employer, we had cut logs on the way up," said Knull. "There were 67 logs, so there would be be 67 cut logs on the way down … So I used my tracking skills – following horse tracks, horse manure.”
“She was just on it and she led it, the whole way,” said David Richmond, another hiker in the group.
“I do it because at the end of the day, I know I’d want to go home and I’d want somebody there to help,” said Knull.
During the hike down, the group was able to communicate with search and rescue crews to help with the evacuation. Knull eventually drove all 16 people in her pickup truck out of the evacuation zone. No one was seriously injured.
Knull said the experience reinforced her motivation to become a full-time, professional firefighter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Here's what jobs will survive in the AI boom: Statistics Canada estimates
A recent study by Statistics Canada sheds light on how different occupations may be affected by the AI boom, including those who might lose their jobs in a more automation-driven future.
Oiler Corey Perry gets assist during Friday Night Smackdown at Rogers Place
The Worm made a guest appearance on WWE's Smackdown at Rogers Place Friday night.
Trudeau insists he's staying on as Liberal leader. But what if he changes his mind?
The Liberal caucus is set to meet in Nanaimo, B.C., next week for a retreat ahead of the fall parliamentary sitting. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insists he will lead his party into the next election despite polls citing his unpopularity among Canadians. Here's a look at what would happen if he decided to call it quits.
The 33 most anticipated movies of the fall
Here are some of the most anticipated films of this fall, from large to small and everything in between.