‘These images are going to be tough to see:’ Officials say 30% of Jasper’s structures destroyed
Posted July 26, 2024 7:40 am.
Last Updated July 27, 2024 7:09 am.
Officials confirm around one-third of Jasper’s structures were damaged and say there is no timeline for residents to return after a wildfire ravaged the town earlier this week.
In an update on Friday afternoon, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said 30 per cent of Jasper townsite has been damaged and officials confirm close to 360 structures have been destroyed.
Smith was also part of a tour of the devastated townsite later in the day, sharing images of the destruction on social media and vowing to support those who have been affected.
“There are a lot of memories that are still intact,” Smith says. “I think there’s going to be a lot of heartache though.”
“It’s going to be hard for a lot of people when they see that their home didn’t survive. There is a lot of damage.”
Parks Canada says 358 out of a total of 1,113 structures in the town were damaged in the fire, but adds that all critical infrastructure has so far been saved, including “the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.”
“Some of our residents will have a home to return to, some will not,” says Jasper mayor Richard Ireland, adding he still does not know when people will be able to return.
Smith said residents could be away for several weeks and the government is expediting evacuation payment programs for those displaced. The premier citied the Fort McMurray fires, saying people were allowed back in that case by day 28.
“I want to be realistic, I think that’s the kind of timeframe that you need to address all of the issues that they need to address.”
She also said the plan is for officials to call businesses and residents one-by-one to inform them of the damage to their buildings.
A new report from DBRS Morningstar estimates the potential insured losses of the Jasper wildfires at up to $700 million.
Officials say they believe the community, province and federal government did everything possible to prepare. Ireland said the fire that menaced the town Wednesday night was so relentless, there was nothing crews could have done to stop its path.
“It humbled the humans on the ground,” says Richard Ireland. “They did everything they could, they knew what they were doing.”
“But in the face of all that, nature prevailed.”
Cooler, wet weather to curb wildfire spread for time being
Officials said in a post to social media Thursday night temperatures cooled and rain started to fall over the area shortly after midnight. It says 10 to 15 millimeters of rain in the national park led to minimal fire behaviour and spread Thursday.
The precipitation is expected to curtail fire spread for the next few days, but the heat is expected to return over the weekend.
Parks Canada says crews will take advantage of the cooler weather and work to make as much progress as possible to put the fire out and reduce further spread. The priority for the more than 150 firefighters in the town is to put out any hot spots on the outskirts and in the trees directly surrounding the townsite.
“While rain in Jasper is a welcome sight, warm weather is forecasted and will increase wildfire activity,” it added.
The perimeter of the Jasper Wildfire Complex, which includes the North and South wildfires and the Utopia wildfire near Miette Hot Springs, is now estimated at 36,000 hectares.
Wildfires flared up into towering walls of flame 100 metres high on Wednesday night, breaching defences and destroying homes and businesses.
About 25,000 people had to flee Jasper National Park ahead of the fires Monday, including about 5,000 residents of the town. The area remains closed and an evacuation order is still in place.
City officials say as of Friday morning, 960 evacuees had registered in Calgary. Evacuees are still encouraged to register with the province.
With files from the Canadian Press
