EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is demanding the fire-stricken town of Jasper apologize and retract a report criticizing her government for its role in last summer’s devastating blaze.
Smith also blames the federal government for failing in the fire response by not asking sooner for provincial help and for not clearing out dead trees that provided fuel for the flames.
“I’m very disappointed that this report politicizes what actually should be a very successful example of unified command,” Smith told reporters at an unrelated event Friday.
“This report come as a shot out of the blue. It’s unfair, it’s untrue and I would like them to withdraw it.”
Smith added, “This was a federal fire. It took place in a federal park, and it was a federal Parks Canada response.
“I would ask for an apology from the city (town of Jasper) as a result,” she continued.
“We want to work collaboratively with our municipal and federal partners, but pointing fingers at others when they should be looking at what they can do to improve their own response would have been a far better outcome.”
The report commissioned by the town reflects a survey of firefighters and other front-line staff who battled the blaze, which destroyed a third of buildings in the town located in the federally run Jasper National Park.
The town and Parks Canada had jurisdiction in fighting the fire.
Those surveyed said Alberta officials got in the way with requests for information and issues management and they interfered in making decisions outside their jurisdiction.
The Opposition NDP says the response is on brand for Smith and her United Conservative Party government, lashing out and laying blame rather than accepting constructive criticism.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
