Jasper National Park said the infrastructure damage assessment is ongoing but reported a total of 358 structures out of 1,113 in town had been destroyed
Two wildfires near Jasper that spread to the townsite late Wednesday have damaged around 30 per cent of the town, but critical infrastructure was fully protected, according to Parks Canada.
The pair of fires — which prompted an evacuation order for 25,000 people — approached the townsite from the northeast and the south, with the estimated fire size covering 36,000 hectares, the agency said.
In a social media update on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jasper National Park said the infrastructure damage assessment is ongoing but reported a total of 358 structures out of 1,113 in town had been destroyed.
“The priority for the 154 firefighters in Jasper is to put out any hot spots in the outskirts of Jasper and in the trees directly surrounding the town of Jasper and all structures. Cooler conditions are reducing fire behaviour as showers tapered off overnight,” the post said.
Winds are expected to reach up to 30 km/h, which may increase fire activity, national park officials said.
All critical infrastructure was protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, elementary, junior high and senior high schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.
At a press conference in Hinton on Friday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the most significant structural damage is concentrated on the west side of town, southeast of Miette Avenue.
Province to expedite evacuation payments
Smith said Jasper residents will be out of their homes for several weeks, and to help, the province will be expediting evacuation payments, which usually kick in after seven days. They were accessible as of Friday afternoon, the government said.
“We understand the harsh reality residents from Jasper residents are feeling and will be out of their home for more than seven days,” Smith said.
“Effective today, eligible evacuees from Jasper and from Jasper National Park can apply to receive a one-time payment to help get the support they need.”
The one-time payment will be $1,250 per adult and $500 per child.
Focus on addressing fire
In a Friday Facebook post by the Municipality of Jasper, officials said while it is a difficult time for residents, they’re focusing on addressing the fire and making the area safe.
“Residents and businesses of the town of Jasper, we understand that this is an incredibly difficult and challenging time, but our priorities remain addressing the active fire and assessing structural damage in the community,” it said.
The area remains closed for public safety, and the evacuation order is still in effect.
Fires burning in Alberta
There are currently 173 wildfires burning in Alberta — 51 of those are out of control, 47 are being held and 72 are under control, according to Christie Tucker, information unit manager at Alberta Wildfire.
In addition to 100 firefighters from Mexico arriving Thursday, incoming firefighters from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are being sent to various areas of the province, including High Level, Tucker said Friday. She said details are still being finalized, and possible aid from the Canadian Armed Forces is being discussed.
“We are still seeing extreme fire danger levels in the south of the province, which means it’s still easy for new fires to start and to spread,” Tucker said.
“Parks Canada officials have said that the rain they’ve been receiving in that area should keep fire behaviour low over the weekend, and we will continue to support Parks and the town of Jasper as they fight the wildfire in that area.”
Edmonton welcomes 789 evacuees
As of Friday, the City of Edmonton said the evacuation centre has registered 789 evacuees. So far, 315 households have received accommodations through the Red Cross, and eight pets have been registered at the Kennedale Site Building #2, located at 12814 58 St.
When evacuees first enter the centre, they can register and access accommodation services by the Canadian Red Cross as well as emergency clothing, hygiene products, snacks, pet care and additional services by the Hope Mission.
RCMP ‘working around the clock’
Mounties released a statement Friday saying Alberta is experiencing “another destructive wildfire season” with Fox Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Garden River, John D’Or Prairie and the municipal district of Bighorn ordered to evacuate.
“As Albertans are left reeling from the reports of homes, historical structures and businesses having been lost to the fast-moving wildfires in the Jasper National Park, please know you have the full weight of the Alberta RCMP’s support during these exceptionally traumatic times,” RCMP said in a release.
RCMP explained officers, Alberta Sheriffs and Parks Canada wardens directed traffic out of the Jasper townsite late Monday evening into early Tuesday morning. Then, Search and Rescue Alberta and RCMP went door to door to check “every residence in the Jasper townsite” between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday.
“Working in teams of two, one RCMP member and one SAR volunteer methodologically moved through the town and documented those who had yet to evacuate,” police said.
Mounties said 41 people opted to “stay in place,” but later that day, after their second check, only six people remained in town.
“Eventually, only one elderly couple remained, (whose) health and mobility issues precluded them from leaving town independently,” RCMP said.
“It took two members 30 minutes to help evacuate the couple. Their home was destroyed shortly thereafter.”
— With files from Kaylen Small
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