Jasper continues fight against the flames as Ontario delivers more aid

The complex of wildfires burning through a wide region around the town site of Jasper, Alta. remains out of control in some areas, says a Parks Canada notice.

But there has been no significant growth in the fire since Monday morning July 29, and more firefighting resources have arrived from the province of Ontario to support ongoing fire suppression efforts, said the release.

Crews continued to extinguish hotspots where feasible, and they planned to move into new areas, such as outlying commercial accommodations and Parks Canada campgrounds. As well, specialists are considering options for strategically reducing the remaining fire fuels in the area, to provide more protection to the town. 

Road closures continue

Meanwhile, Hwy. 16 – the major east-west highway connecting Jasper to Edmonton and Lloydminster – remains closed, as wildfires continue to actively burn and smolder along its route. Plans are in the works to reopen the highway when it becomes safe to do so.

In a televised interview, Parks Canada president and CEO Ron Hallman refuted any suggestion that there could have been a quicker response to the flames by fire fighters. The fires moved forward at a great speed, driven by winds, and no humans or equipment could have stopped its advance, said Hallman. 

Jasper mayor Richard Ireland concurred, saying he absolutely rejected the suggestion that the fire-fighting efforts were a failure. In a televised CBC interview, Ireland said that everyone, including residents and tourists (numbering about 25,000), evacuated the town with no deaths or casualties ahead of the flames, and that most of the town was spared from destruction. 

“Jasper is grieving”

Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta, said from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of the town’s structures were potentially damaged or destroyed.

Parks Canada verified that all critical infrastructure was protected, including the hospital, schools and the wastewater treatment plant.

Nonetheless, “Jasper is grieving right now,” said Tyler Riopel, the CEO of Tourism Jasper, noting that “we are faced with a level of loss that’s yet to be quantified.”

But he countered that “our strength has always been in our community, and in our people, as exemplified by the heroic efforts of emergency responders and local support staff ever since the tragedy began.”

“Jasperites will be back to rebuild and when they do, one of the best ways to help them in the long-term will be to spend within the town. Eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, use our services, explore with our outfitters, rediscover Jasper,” said Riopel. “We aren’t sure how long it will take at this point but when the residents and businesses of Jasper are ready to welcome you back – please come back.”