Damage to a residential neighbourhood in Jasper is shown here on July 26, 2024, following the wildfire that hit the town on July 24, 2024. CTV News
Parks Canada acknowledges the concerns of Jasper residents who have been evacuated due to wildfires. Many are worried about the impact of rotting food in their homes and are eager to know when key roads, such as Highway 16, will reopen. However, the situation remains dire as the wildfire continues to burn uncontrollably, posing a serious threat to the town and its surroundings.
On Sunday, Parks Canada addressed the high volume of requests from residents wanting to retrieve personal items or remove spoiled food from their properties. Unfortunately, their resources are currently focused on combating the remaining wildfire risks in the area, making it impossible to address these requests at the moment. Although some hot spots in the town have been extinguished, the blaze still threatens the community, and efforts are concentrated on protecting it.
The wildfires have created a significant problem for the town, leading to concerns about contamination from rotting food in fridges and freezers. Parks Canada is aware of this issue and is working to restore power to parts of the town to help mitigate the risk. The agency emphasized that this is the largest wildfire Jasper National Park has seen in the past century, and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors will take time.
There is also an ongoing effort to reopen critical routes such as Highway 16 and Icefields Parkway 93N. However, no specific timeline has been provided yet. The evacuation was crucial to the safety of the town's residents, who had to leave behind their belongings, trailers, and campers. Despite the rush, efforts have been made to rescue pets, with 15 animals saved so far, and temporary shelters have been provided until they can be reunited with their owners.
The historic Jasper Anglican Church in Jasper, Alberta, is seen in ruins on Friday, July 26, 2024. The recent wildfires that reached the town forced an evacuation and destroyed over 300 of Jasper’s 1,100 buildings, mostly affecting residential neighbourhoods. The Canadian Press
Over 20,000 people were evacuated last Monday due to the rapidly spreading wildfires. Parks Canada estimates that about 30% of Jasper's structures have been damaged. A recent map released on Saturday shows which properties have suffered damage, but it's based only on visible damage from the streets.
The historic Jasper Anglican Church and more than 300 of the town’s approximately 1,100 structures have been affected. The extent of damage outside the town is still being assessed, with firefighters working to protect homes in those areas as well.
Jasper National Park remains closed, with RCMP ensuring the town is secure and maintaining checkpoints to prevent unauthorized access. Anyone found in the evacuated areas without permission may face arrest. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland, and other officials recently toured the affected town and saw the destruction firsthand.
In response to the crisis, both the Alberta and federal governments have pledged additional relief funds. They will match donations to the Canadian Red Cross’s 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal, meaning every dollar donated will be tripled. This initiative, starting from the launch of the campaign on Thursday, will run for 30 days.
Support to fight the fires has been bolstered with contributions from various regions. The Canadian military is providing assistance, including training for firefighters in Hinton. Firefighters from Quebec have also arrived, and additional support from Ontario, Australia, and South Africa is expected.
