Evacuation Order for Town of Jasper
Jasper Complex Wildfire Update: Current as of 1300 July 26, 2024
Update for residents
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. We are happy to report all critical infrastructure has been saved. We appreciate how hard it is to wait for confirmation about your homes.
Our crews continue to fight the fire and we remain focused on making it safe for the people of Jasper to come home. The area remains closed for public safety, evacuation order is still in effect.
Jasper Wildfire Complex
The priority for the 154 firefighters in Jasper is to put out many hot spots in the outskirts of Jasper and in the trees directly surrounding the town of Jasper and critical infrastructure. Cooler conditions are reducing fire behaviour as showers tapered off overnight. Winds are anticipated to reach up to 30 km/h and may increase fire activity.
Assessments of infrastructure damages is ongoing. The damage within the townsite is estimated at around 30%. Out of a total of 1113 structures within the town, 358 have been destroyed. All critical infrastructure in Jasper was successfully protected including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant. We are grateful to our wildfire teams efforts to contain the fire and minimize the damage.
Estimated fire size map
The map, available in the NEWS feed, is a best available estimate based on satellite imaging and what crews have been able to see from the ground. This area is estimated to cover 36,000 hectares.
The outline shown in the map represents an estimate of the furthest area burned, not what is currently burning. It is important to note that this is an estimate and will change. Within the estimated perimeter there will be areas completely burned, partially burned and areas which did not burn at all.
Future maps will be refined when we can map the perimeter from the air.
Jasper Complex Wildfire Update: Current as of 4:38 pm
Structural damage update
We know that people are seeing images from Jasper and are anxious for more information about the extent of impacts to the town.
Structural fire protection units are still fighting fires within the town and continue to fight fires moving from one building to another. We appreciate your patience as we work to make conditions in the town safe enough for a detailed assessment to be completed.
Incident Command is able to confirm that all critical infrastructure in Jasper was successfully protected including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.
Although more time is needed to complete a detailed damage assessment, it is clear that some homes and businesses have been lost.
The most significant structural damage is concentrated on the west side of town, southwest of Miette Avenue. Firefighting efforts have prevented significant damage to much of the infrastructure in the east end of town. Our priority remains protecting structures that have not yet been impacted by fire.
The fire also damaged a number of bridges around the town and throughout the national park, including the Moberly Bridge and the Old Fort Point Bridge. Bridges on the Icefields Parkway will need to be assessed for structural damage as well. These impacts will slow down access to the Maligne Lake and Highway 93 and it will take time for a full damage assessment to take place in these areas.
Wildfire update
Yesterday, driven by winds with gusts upwards of 100 kilometers an hour, the north and south fire both spread towards the town of Jasper and have merged together. At this time we do not have an updated size.
With today’s rain and cooler temperatures, fire activity is significantly subdued. However, it is important to note that the fire is still out of control and significant work remains before conditions are safe enough to allow for limited re-entry into the park.
Crews are taking advantage of today’s conditions to make progress on containing the fire and the community, before conditions return to hot and dry.
Disaster response
The Incident Management Team is growing and working in Unified Command with the Municipality of Jasper, now supported by Canada Task Force 2 (CAN-TF2). This is an All Hazards Disaster Response Team with diverse capabilities to support impacted communities across Canada responding to large-scale events, emergencies and disasters.
Canada Task Force 2 is assisting the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada to coordinate the response to the wildfire, its impacts to the community, and support our eventual recovery.
We know that the uncertainty makes this crisis even harder to bear. We will continue to provide information as soon as we are able to ensure that this information is accurate and not subject to change given the still dynamic situation.
𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿:
Dear Jasperites,
I write to you today with profound sorrow as we begin to come to terms with the devastating impact of last night’s wildfire that has ravaged our beloved community. The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension; my deepest sympathies go out to each of you.
Our first priority continues to be your safety and well-being. The Incident Management Team together with responders on the ground, continue to work valiantly to protect our town – our home – and to coordinate supports for evacuees in other communities.
I want to assure you that your Mayor and Councillors are committed to supporting our community through this truly unprecedented challenge and beyond. We will work closely with all levels of government, other organizations, and volunteers to coordinate relief efforts and provide essential resources and information.
Your resilience and strength have always been the backbone of our community. In the coming days and weeks, we will rally together, support one another, and begin the daunting process of recovery.
Please continue to be patient and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
This experience is tremendously traumatic for each of us and for the community. I encourage you to reach out to your neighbours, colleagues and friends: share your grief; share your pain; stay connected.
Offer a helping hand, a listening ear, a supportive word where you can, and know that we are all in this together.
With unwavering support and resolve,
Mayor Ireland
_______________________
Jasper, it’s hard to know where to start, but here are some resources compiled by our team:
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: It's normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or sad. Some physical symptoms might include headaches, stomach aches, or muscle tension.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: If you experience severe emotional reactions, such as excessive guilt, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, please reach out for professional help.
𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗲𝘀
1. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated: Good nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining your energy, focus, and overall health.
2. Stay Active: Gentle physical activities, like walking or stretching, can help relieve stress and improve your mood.
3. Get Enough Rest: Ensure you and your family get adequate sleep to better manage stress and emotions.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing exercises can calm your nervous system and help you think more clearly.
Support for Children and Teens
• Limit Media Exposure: Protect children from repeated exposure to distressing news. When they do see or hear about the disaster, discuss it calmly and reassure them.
• Model Positive Coping: Children learn from your reactions.
𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗲:
Encourage Open Communication: Let children express their feelings and ask questions. Answer honestly at a level they can understand.
Maintain Routines: Keeping regular meal and sleep times can provide a sense of normalcy and security.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Psychologists’ Association of Alberta: 3 free sessions with a volunteer psychologist. 1-888-424-0297 | paa@paa-ab.ca
Mental Health Help Line (24/7): 1-877-303-2642
Addiction Help Line: 1-866-332-2322
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
Crisis Text Line Text: “CONNECT” to 741741
Alberta 211: 211 Alberta is a 24/7 crisis line and single point of contact for digital supports and services near you – no matter where you are in the province. Call or text 'INFO' to 211 or visit ab.211.ca.
Text4hope: Text HOPEAB to 393939 to subscribe.
Health Link: 811
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, www.KidsHelpPhone.caDue to significant fire activity and forecasted strong winds, first responders will start to be relocated to Hinton. Firefighting personnel, aircraft and a small number of Incident Command staff will remain in the town of Jasper and continue efforts to protect the town.
UPDATE:
The safety of the public and responders is our top priority.
One of the last tactics for protecting the community are landscape-level ignition operations where fire specialists bring the fire to large holding features, including Highway 16 and the Athabasca River.
If you have not yet evacuated town you must leave now. This is for your own safety and to allow these critical operations to protect the town of Jasper to continue unimpeded.
This decision has not been made lightly. First responders dedicate their lives to the protection of people and communities. Given the intensity of fire behaviour being observed the decision has been made to limit the number of responders exposed to this risk.
Our hearts go out to all of the affected community members, their families and their friends, many of which include our local first responders.
Thank you.
Signed,
Parks Canada, Incident Commander Katie Ellsworth
Municipality of Jasper, Incident Commander Christine Nadon
UPDATE: 3:15 PM, Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park have been evacuated due to active wildfires. This has been a very stressful time for residents and visitors to the town. We commend everyone’s cooperation towards a successful initial evacuation. We are grateful to the responders fighting the fire and to the generosity of neighbouring communities.
We know many people affected by the evacuation are wondering about next steps.
Evacuee Registration:
Once you have evacuated, it’s important to register as an evacuee.
• Use this link if you have a MyAlberta Digital ID: https://emergencyregistration.alberta.ca/
• You can also register as an Evacuee in-person at a Reception Centre.
Where to go:
If you have friends or family you can stay with, please make arrangements.
Camping (while space allows):
• The County of Wetaskiwin has offered free camping at the Buck Lake campground for evacuees displaced by the Jasper and Jasper National Park evacuation.
• The Town of Hinton has offered that evacuees can camp for free in the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre Field, by the baseball diamonds/Splash pad and library.
Evacuee Reception Centres:
• Edmonton: 12814 58th St. Building B, Edmonton, A.B.
• Grande Prairie: Bonnets Energy Centre, 10017 99 Ave, Grande Prairie, A.B.
• Calgary: Shouldice Athletic Park, 1515 Home Road NW, Calgary, A.B.
Next Steps:
• Insurance: Residents and business owners are advised to call their insurer right away to begin a claim. The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has a Consumer Information Centre to help people navigate their insurance policy during an evacuation and aftermath of an emergency.
Toll Free: 1-844-227-5422
Email: AskIBCWest@ibc.ca
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm MST
• Service Canada’s Outreach Support Centre (OSC): Can share information about programs and services offered by Service Canada.
Phone: 1-877-631-2657
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Employment Insurance (EI): Residents can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) as soon as possible, even without a Record of Employment (ROE). You can reach out to the Outreach Support Centre create an interim ROE.
Clients must provide a mailing address to apply for EI. If clients have been temporarily displaced to a hotel, shelter or are staying with friends or family due to the evacuation they can use their temporary address to apply for EI and then update the address later.
• Canada Post: Sign up for direct deposit, update your address if necessary. For more information about mail delivery, clients can visit Canada Post website or call 1-888-550-6333.
Re-entry:
People have been asking if they can go back to Jasper to get things they had to leave behind in the evacuation. It is not safe to return to Jasper at this time. Our top priority is keeping everyone safe. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
Wildfire:
Parks Canada’s main focus is protecting the town and community of Jasper. They're working to stop the wildfires from spreading towards town, Highway 16, and important buildings. Stay updated by following @jaspernationalpark on Facebook for the latest wildfire news. We will also share updates from Parks Canada as they become available.
Helpful Links:
Road closures: Alberta 511 https://511.alberta.ca/#:Alerts
