Latest news with #Jasperites
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
Anniversary of Jasper wildfire dredges up strong emotions as residents reflect on its impact
Social Sharing Kimberley Stark has a scavenger hunt planned for her three kids on the plot of land in Jasper, Alta., where they used to crawl, play and sleep. They'll be searching for pieces of Jasper's nature, like mushrooms, purple asters, daisies and pine trees. Stark says she wants to bring a light touch to what's likely to be heavy day in the mountain town, still bearing wounds of last summer's destructive wildfire. "We live at our house — it's just that the house is missing," said Stark, a volunteer firefighter who watched her family's home burn the night of the fire. "We'll spend part of the day there, and not in a negative way. In a fun way." Thursday marked one year since their home and 357 other structures in Jasper were turned to ash by a runaway fire that travelled about 30 kilometres over two days. The town commemorated the anniversary Tuesday, a year to the day that 25,000 residents and tourists were forced out of the community. WATCH | Jasperites prepare for one-year anniversary of the wildfire: Jasper gathers to commemorate 1 year after wildfire 2 days ago Jasperites gathered to remember and exchange stories, one year after they were forced to flee their homes as a wildfire encroached on the community. Businesses are rebounding and tourists are back but residents are still waiting to rebuild. Locals say the anniversary has dredged up strong emotions. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said this week that many are approaching the milestone with trepidation and, for some, the hardest part is just beginning. Stark said it's still a challenging topic. "Emotionally, I'm fragile. I have mostly good days now, which is way better than the winter and the fall," she said. "They were horrific." Winds reported to be more than 100 kilometres per hour pushed a 30-storey wildfire toward the town, a summer tourism hotbed in the expansive Jasper National Park. A tower of smoke eventually rained piping-hot embers into the townsite, incinerating homes at a rapid pace. About a third of the town's structures were burned to the ground, though firefighters were able to protect critical infrastructure, including its water treatment plant, which if destroyed would have likely made Jasper unlivable for years. Rico Damota, a town councillor, remembers a story told to him last fall by Parks Canada vegetation specialist Landon Shepherd during a helicopter tour of the damage. Damota said Shepherd was on the radio with Jasper fire Chief Mathew Conte during the fire and asked how the fight was going on the ground. "And Mat's response back was, 'We're losing,"' Damota said, fighting back tears. The councillor of nearly two decades said it wasn't until he relayed that story to friends that the fire made him visibly emotional. "It didn't connect with me when I was up in the chopper, until I was telling my friends at home ... I had to leave the room for a moment. "I didn't realize how much that would impact you. Everybody gets triggered in different ways. I was OK up until that point." Christine Nadon, the incident commander for the municipality during the fire, said the local fire department has been laser focused on providing mental-health supports to the volunteer firefighters who tried to save the town that night. The department now has its own in-house psychologist. "I think that is still broadly misunderstood, the sacrifice and the service that every man and woman who is in the fire department [and] who was here the night of July 24 last year," Nadon said. "They are heroes and should be treated as such." With tourism season in full swing, many visitors are arriving in Jasper oblivious to what had occurred, said Tyler Riopel, CEO of Tourism Jasper. The front desk at the Jasper Inn asks guests to refrain from asking employees about the fire out of respect for their well-being. "We have a lot of people right now in Jasper that are coming in and genuinely are unaware of last summer," Riopel said. Jasper's rebuild is expected to take up to a decade.
CBC
6 days ago
- CBC
Jasper gathers to commemorate 1 year after wildfire
Jasperites gathered to remember and exchange stories, one year after they were forced to flee their homes as a wildfire encroached on the community. Businesses are rebounding and tourists are back but residents are still waiting to rebuild.
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Reflecting on one year since the Jasper wildfire Français
The Government of Canada stands with Jasperites as work continues to rebuild the beautiful mountain community of Jasper and Jasper National Park JASPER, AB, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - One year ago, emergency responders, community members, visitors, friends, and neighbours all banded together to safely evacuate more than 20,000 people from Jasper and Jasper National Park. Those heroic efforts were the beginning of a long road for the community. Within days, multiple wildfires would converge to take the life of a brave firefighter, destroy over 30 per cent of the structures in Jasper, uproot the lives of residents and workers, and leave a lasting impact on the landscape. Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, joined Jasperites to reflect, to grieve, and to remember. At the commemorative event, Minister Olszewski paid tribute to the tremendous courage, strength, and resiliency that community members have shown over the past year, while also acknowledging the ongoing commitment to collaboration by countless people and organizations to assist Jasper to build back stronger. Quotes "As we mark one year since wildfires devastated the town of Jasper, I was pleased to join members of the community in this solemn commemoration. Today, all Canadians stand with Jasper as we commemorate the courage and resilience of this proud community and continue our collective work in rebuilding Jasper as the vibrant, caring, and welcoming community for which it is known throughout the world." –The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada "One year after the wildfires, we want to acknowledge the resilience and courage of Jasperites. In the face of profound loss, this community has united with remarkable determination and solidarity we honour today. Our new government remains committed to supporting Jasper and its residents — working hand in hand with the community and all levels of government to provide meaningful support, restore hope, and help Jasper rebuild the future they deserve." – The Honourable Stephen Guilbeault, Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Quick facts The Government of Canada has invested more than $383 million to support firefighting, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in Jasper and Jasper National Park. With the support of federal funds and in collaboration with other orders of government and partners: 354 units of interim housing have been made available accommodating over 260 households and 510 individuals. Federal funding was recently announced to help cover uninsured costs associated with soil testing and remediation that is required before Jasper residents can rebuild homes on their property. A Pop-up Village was launched in the commercial core of Jasper, enabling seven local businesses to continue operations in the community. The Jasper Business Recovery program was delivered through Community Futures West Yellowhead in partnership with PrairiesCan to provide non-repayable funding to enable small and medium-sized businesses to stabilize and rebuild. Associated links Stay connected Follow PrairiesCan on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378 TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388 SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Eleanor Olszewski: No place for politics in emergency management
Article content One year ago, the people of Jasper faced the unimaginable. As wildfire tore through their beloved community, like so many Albertans I watched with deep concern as the flames threatened a place that holds a special place in our province's story. As we mark the anniversary of that devastating event, we remember what was lost and burned, but most importantly, we reflect on the strength that rose in its wake. Article content Article content Article content Article content We are currently on track for the second-worst wildfire season in Canadian history based on hectares burned, and while the federal government stands ready to answer the call to assist all Canadians in this time of need, I find myself increasingly focusing on what comes next and how we can do better. Article content Article content The story of Jasper is about more than the immediate response and recovery of one of Canada's most treasured places. It's about renewal and resilience. From rebuilding critical infrastructure to restoring local services and stepping up to provide interim housing for those displaced, we have worked hand-in-hand with Parks Canada, the Town of Jasper, the Alberta government, Indigenous governments and everyday Jasperites not just to restore what was lost, but to reimagine what this community can become. Article content The road has not been easy, and the recent report has many useful lessons that all levels of government should internalize. Article content It is in this spirit of resilience that I was recently given a new mandate as Canada's first minister for Community Resilience. This new role exists because our communities are facing unprecedented challenges such as climate change, intensifying wildfires, and more frequent natural disasters. With rising global temperatures and climate disruption, we now know that wildfires, floods, and other climate-related events are becoming more common — and more costly.
Cision Canada
16-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Determined to Work Together for Jasper: Parks Canada and Partners Bolster Safe and Swift Return Home Français
New financial support will enable remediation efforts and help Jasper residents return home safely and swiftly. JASPER, AB, July 16, 2025 /CNW/ - One year after the Jasper Wildfire forced residents from their homes, Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper, the Canadian Red Cross, and Prairies Economic Development Canada continue to work as partners in the recovery and rebuild of Jasper, with a shared focus on quickly returning residents to safe and permanent homes. Today, Parks Canada and the Canadian Red Cross jointly announced up to $5 million in additional support for Jasper residents. This will be intended for Jasperites who require contaminated soil testing and removal prior to rebuilding permanent housing. This new funding will ensure a swift, safe and dignified path forward for those most impacted. New financial assistance, administered by the Canadian Red Cross, will provide support to residents for uninsured costs related to soil remediation and testing that will ensure the long-term health of residents. The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and other federal partners, has invested more than $180 million in rebuilding Jasper, and the work continues. Together, we have: expedited reconstruction efforts through streamlined processes to make rebuilding as efficient as possible; secured interim housing for 300 Jasper families to allow them to return to the community as soon as possible; coordinated debris removal on 100 per cent of affected lots; and welcomed a number of residents back to permanent housing. With debris removal complete and development permits issued through a streamlined process, the focus has now shifted to soil remediation and ensuring the future health of residents. Parks Canada is continuing to work closely with homeowners to provide clear and timely information, practical solutions, and flexibility throughout this phase. A coordinated plan to guide expedited soil remediation efforts and support residents will be shared very soon. We remain focussed on quickly getting building permits for residents who lost their homes and businesses so that they can move forward with their lives. Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to helping Jasper rebuild stronger and faster, with the well-being of residents at the heart of every decision. Quotes "The residents of Jasper have shown remarkable strength during this difficult time. Their resilience and solidarity remind us that, together, we're not just rebuilding homes, but restoring hope. We are here to support them every step of the way to rebuild the town quickly and safely so that Jasperites can move towards building a stronger future." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages " Our new government continues to work with its partners to ensure residents can return to their permanent homes in a safe and timely manner. As Canada's first-ever Minister for Community Resilience, I'm proud to be part of a government that's committed to helping communities like Jasper recover and thrive." The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. "On behalf of so many of our residents, I extend sincere gratitude to Parks Canada, the Government of Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross for their continued commitment and support. Their thoughtful, coordinated approach to easing the financial and emotional burden of this difficult time has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those rebuilding. This support is helping our community move forward — together." Richard Ireland Mayor of Jasper "The Canadian Red Cross commends Parks Canada for providing financial support that addresses soil remediation which has been an ongoing barrier for rebuilding homes in Jasper. The Canadian Red Cross continues to work alongside community and government partners to support recovery in Jasper and will be there to address ongoing and evolving needs in the weeks and months to come." Conrad Sauvé President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross Quick Facts In September 2024, the Government of Canada introduces legislation (Bill C-76) to enable the transfer of land use planning and development authorities from Parks Canada to the Municipality of Jasper. This has facilitated land use planning and development in the long term. In the short term, Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are working together to streamline and adjust Parks Canada's existing processes. Parks Canada supported all necessary processes for accelerating rebuild of Jasper in concrete ways, such as updated land use policies, expedited approvals for variances, reduced parking requirements, facilitated subdivision processes, simplified development application process, and reduced up front compliance deposit costs. Parks Canada made 4.25 hectares of land available for interim housing and secured over 300 interim housing units for Jasper residents. Initial occupancy started February 26, 2025. Currently, 500 individuals are occupying interim housing in Jasper. The Canadian Red Cross provides interim lodging management services for Jasper residents placed in units as part of the interim housing program. As part of their interim lodging management role, the Canadian Red Cross support tenant relations, managing leases, utility management and coordinating maintenance for sites.
