New numbers confirm one-third of Jasper townsite destroyed in this week’s wildfire

By The Canadian Press on July 26, 2024.

HINTON, ALBERTA, CANADA – One-third of all structures in the townsite of Jasper are gone, burned to the ground in this week’s wildfire, officials confirmed Friday.

Premier Danielle Smith says there are 1,113 structures in the picturesque Rocky Mountain resort community.

She said Wednesday night’s wildfire destroyed 358 of them and damaged seven more.

The structures were homes and businesses.

Smith says critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and water treatment services, remain intact.

“It was the hard work of firefighters and front-line workers who protected Jasper from even more damage,” Smith told reporters at a news conference near the eastern gate of Jasper National Park.

Smith says it will be a while before residents will be allowed back, but there is no definite timeline as the fire is still raging in Jasper National Park.

Smith said they have to make sure gas pipelines are not damaged. She said power and electricity have to be turned on again. And she says the wildfire has to be tamed so that stray embers don’t reignite another tragedy.

“This is not a fast process,” said Smith.

About 25,000 people, including all of the town’s 5,000 residents, were forced to flee the fires Monday night.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2024.

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