A small pile of burnt cars in Jasper, Alta., on Friday July 26, 2024. Wildfires encroaching into the townsite of Jasper forced an evacuation of the national park and have destroyed over 300 of the town's approximately 1100 structures, mainly impacting residential areas.
The homecoming for Jasperites returning to their wildfire-ravaged town will mark the beginning of a challenging effort to rebuild what was lost to the flames.A wildfire destroyed more than 300 of approximately 1100 structures in Jasper, Alta., last month. Residents will start returning to the mountain community on Friday.
One-third of all the buildings in the townsite were destroyed and early estimates by the municipality suggest homes and businesses valued at a total of $283 million were destroyed.Clara Adriano, who has operated a commercial laundry in the community since 2017, is apprehensive about leaving her Calgary hotel room and returning to Jasper.
Clara Adriano, a Jasper evacuee who lost her family business to the flames, said seeing neighbourhoods reduced to rubble will take an emotional toll. In the hardest hit neighbourhoods on the western side of the townsite, homeowners may not have access to natural gas service or running water. Trails and campgrounds remain closed. The re-entry plan, however, does not exclude non-residents from entering Jasper or the national park.
In Edmonton, Jasper resident Victoria Wilson said she was "itching to get back" home, but now feels a sense of trepidation."It's going to be kind of weird to go back home and ... try and have the community feel like home again."Wilson, who has lived in Jasper for three years, works as an employment coach with the Jasper Employment and Education Centre.
Veluw also employs temporary foreign workers. Some staff who lost homes may stay with her once they return to Jasper.During a special meeting Tuesday, Jasper council approved a series of measures to ease the burden on homeowners, including suspending the collection of municipal tax payments on damaged and destroyed properties.
As of Monday afternoon, plumes of smoke billowed over the wreckage of burned neighbourhoods. It's expected to remain a common sight within the community. The wildfire is expected to burn for months. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said he's relieved re-entry is possible but said his community must be prepared to face "a new normal," including the persistent presence of fire in the park.
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