Jasper Brewing Company remains intact next to the ruins of the adjacent building. CBC News
At the height of summer tourism, Jasper, a popular town in one of Canada’s most famous national parks, is facing an unexpected crisis. A devastating wildfire forced around 25,000 people, including residents, visitors, and seasonal workers, to evacuate last week. This disaster has left local businesses grappling with an uncertain future as they try to recover.
Before the wildfire struck, Candace Broughton ran Jasper Motorcycle Tours from her location on Patricia Street, which was destroyed by the flames. She told Cross Country Checkup host Ian Hanomansing that restarting her business will be a challenge. "It's really tough because the gist of the business is touring the national park to see all of our beautiful sights and valleys and waterfalls, and a lot of it is burned. I really don't think people will want to go on a motorcycle tour to see the wreckage," Broughton said. After struggling to recover from the pandemic, facing another setback is deeply disheartening for her.
Stavro Korogonas, seen with his daughter at Jasper Pizza Place, expresses concern about the tough recovery ahead for businesses in Jasper. CBC News
The fire, which is still out of control, continues to threaten the park. It could take weeks before it's safe for people to return to Jasper. Even businesses that weren't destroyed are bracing for financial hardship. For example, the Jasper Pizza Place, located near some of the worst damage, is waiting to learn about any internal damage to their property. Owner Stavro Korogonas expressed concern about the long-term effects on the community. "Once the evacuation order is lifted, does my insurance continue to cover me, or do we have to get back to work? Because we're happy to do it, but it's not going to be the same," Korogonas said. He worries that even if he can reopen soon, his sales will likely fall far short of expectations, especially during the crucial September and October months.
The ruins of a gas station in Jasper, Alberta, left behind after a wildfire. CBC News
In 2022, another fire in Jasper National Park caused power outages but did not require an evacuation. Korogonas had to lay off employees then and discovered that his business interruption insurance did not cover the losses as expected. He’s now worried that similar issues might arise with this current fire.
Jasper Raft Tours is currently closed due to the wildfire evacuation and doesn’t know when it will be able to resume normal operations. CBC News
According to Morningstar DBRS, the financial impact of this fire could rival or even surpass the $700 million cost of the 2011 Slave Lake fire. Business interruption insurance will play a crucial role in helping affected businesses, but coverage details vary by policy. Rob de Pruis from the Insurance Bureau of Canada advised that business owners should contact their insurers for clarification.
Katrina Turcot, who owns Jasper Raft Tours with her husband, faces a tough situation as well. Their launch site and many supplies were destroyed, and while their town location is still standing, nearby buildings were burned. Turcot is overwhelmed by the insurance process and the prospect of handling over $1 million in business loans without current income. "Unless you've been through this, you have no idea where to even start with this. It's insanely overwhelming," she said. Turcot, who has deep roots in Jasper, is deeply worried about the future of her beloved town and its community.
