Canadian Ski Town Devastated by Wildfire
25th July 2024
Last modified on August 1st, 2024
The historic ski town of Jasper in Alberta that gives access to Marmot Basin is a smouldering ruin in many of its areas.
Monday 29th July
The Vice President of Marmot Basin Ski Resort, Brian Rode, has been speaking to the Edmonton Journal about the fire in Jasper that has devastated the town and the wider local community.
Brian is a good friend of ours at PlanetSKI has been very welcoming to us on all our visits.
Marmot Basin remains one of our favourite ski areas in Canada.
Brian Rode, Marmot Basin. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI in Marmot Basin. Image © PlanetSKI
“I personally go back and forth between checking for updates and trying to take my mind off it, but it’s tough,” said Brian Rode to the Edmonton Journal.
“There are a lot of unknowns right now.
“What will be there when we get back?
“We know the landscape is going to be profoundly changed.
“As long as the town can survive, the changed landscaped grows.
“It’s hard to look at it from the perspective, but right now our big concern is what will happen to our town.
“Our management team is in various locations, from Kamloops, to Grande Prairie to Hinton.
“We’re all communicating with one another.
“There is a lot of stress, so we’re helping them get whatever financial assistance is available to them, any mental health resources.
“Whatever we can do to help.
“You want to remain optimistic that the town will survive, but it’s not that easy when you see the size and the level of the fire.
“It’s a tough situation, but a lot of Albertans and people in BC have been through this before.
“We’re not alone in this experience.”
Support has been pouring in from across Canada and beyond.
The Canadian government has pledged to provide assistance for those affected by the disaster, including financial aid and temporary housing.
PlanetSKI in Marmot Basin. Image © PlanetSKI
More to follow…
Sunday 28th July
More pictures and video have emerged of the fire that shows homes turned to ashes and cars melted to the road.
Hotels and a church were destroyed.
A list of addresses where buildings were damaged is being finalised and will be released “shortly” the authorities said.
See some of the latest images on the BBC.
“We are empathetic to the residents and businesses seeking more information on specific details on the extent of damage,” added the authorities.
“We know people are seeing images on media and social media but what we know about fire incidents is getting the information right is paramount.”
⚠ Jasper Wildfire Complex Update: Current as of 8:00 pm, July 27, 2024 ⚠
Today, the Municipality of Jasper released its initial damage assessment of structures in town. We express our deepest condolences to everyone who experienced losses.
— Jasper National Park, Parks Canada (@JasperNP) July 28, 2024
Some buildings and parts of Jasper have survived the fire.
Some good news showing some that survived the fire #JasperWildfire #Jasper #jasperstrong pic.twitter.com/DbIrGSY1mX
— Butterfly (@mrsbutterfly34) July 25, 2024
More to follow…
Saturday 27th July
The full extent of the blaze is becoming clear as Canada comes to terms with the loss of one of its iconic mountain towns.
33% of the buildings in Jasper have been destroyed with many badly damaged.
Fire crews are still working to douse the flames that have already burned 89,000 acres.
They have been helped by cooler conditions and some rain, though high winds and warmer temperatures are forecast.
⚠ Jasper Wildfire Complex Update: Current as of 10 p.m. July 26, 2024 ⚠
Today crews are taking advantage of the cooler weather to make progress on containing the remaining hotspots in smouldering structures and along the wildfire perimeter closest to the townsite. pic.twitter.com/geEvcW23Ai
— Jasper National Park, Parks Canada (@JasperNP) July 27, 2024
Out of a total of 1,113 structures in Jasper, 358 have been destroyed.
All critical infrastructure in Jasper was successfully protected, including schools, a hospital, and a water treatment plant.
It is unclear how the nearby ski resort of Marmot Basin has been affected.
It is 8-miles south of Jasper
Marmot Basin, Alberta. Image © PlanetSKI
“CWSAA has been in contact with Jason Paterson, President at Marmot Basin, throughout this week,” said a statement from the Canada West Ski Areas Association.
“Marmot’s immediate focus has been on the well-being of their people and ensuring safe and secure temporary shelter during the evacuation.
“Jason also wishes to express Marmot’s appreciation to the industry for the many messages, acts of kindness, and direct support.
“As the situation evolves in the hours ahead, CWSAA will continue to facilitate any support requests from Marmot to industry.”
Marmot Basin has issued a statement:
“We know many are wondering about the status of Marmot Basin,” said the resort on Friday 26th July.
“At this time assessment is still ongoing as to what, if any, damage the mountain has sustained.
“We are working with our partners at Parks Canada to better understand the status of our mountain.
“Recent mapping detailed the balance of the fire to be below our leasehold. We will provide updates as information becomes available.”
Thank you to those who have reached out over the last few days. A profound thank you to the firefighters and those on the front lines who worked to protect our beloved community.
For a full update on the Jasper Wildfire and Marmot Basin, please visit https://t.co/GRPUITQ12K pic.twitter.com/oOcEIqnlWO
— Marmot Basin (@MarmotBasin) July 26, 2024
It is likely to be several weeks before people from Jasper will be allowed to return home or return to what is left of their home.
Jasper as seen from Marmot Basin. Image © PlanetSKI
Jasper before the wildfire. Image © PlanetSKI
Jasper before the wildfire. Image © PlanetSKI
At some point the flames, fanned by strong winds, were 100m high.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the area a “special and cherished place” for many Canadians.
There are currently 51 wildfires burning “out of control” around the Alberta province.
There’s been a small fire in Banff National Park in Alberta but the ski resorts of Lake Louise and Sunshine Village have not to be affected.
Local fire crews are on standby and monitoring the situation closely.
Lake Louise fire service. Image © PlanetSKI
The ski resort of Kicking Horse in British Columbia is close to the Alberta border.
It on the edge of an evacuation alert for a wildfire but currently there is no alert for Kicking Horse or the nearby town of Golden.
As a precaution the ski area has shut down its summer operations.
More to follow…
BREAKING: Devastating wildfires ravage Jasper National Park in British Columbia, Canada! Flames reach townsite, multiple structures & hotels on fire. Essential workers evacuated due to security concerns. Situation critical. #JasperNationalPark #Wildfires #Canada pic.twitter.com/HWGH2XjjNi
— Facts Prime (@factsprime35) July 25, 2024
Thursday 25th July
The fire remains out of control, but there has been no loss of life.
“This is the worst nightmare for any community,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said as she fought back tears during a news conference.
25,000 people have evacuated from Jasper National Park
The scale of the damage is still unclear, but an official says 30% to 50% of buildings in Jasper may have been destroyed.
It is a ski town we know well at PlanetSKI.
Marmot Basin, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
The fire started during a lightning storm and was fuelled by powerful wind gusts in an area that has seen a drought.
Hundreds of firefighters from around the world are arriving to bolster the response.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said the government has approved a request for federal assistance.
“This is simply our community’s worst nightmare,” the Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland, told CBC News.
“People are the heartbeat of every community.
“The people have been saved and that is significant.
“We can find a way to rebuild.
“We can find each other to hug again, because we all got out.”
PlanetSKI reader, Gord Taylor, drove by the area as he was travelling from British Columbia to Alberta.
Much was shrouded in smoke.
“They evacuated 25,000 people from Jasper, 10,000 from the town and 15,000 from the surrounding areas,” said Gord to PlanetSKI.
“It was very smokey in between Golden in British Columbia and Lake Louise in Alberta, but as we approached Calgary it was thick again.”
There are no words. Jasper is burned to the ground. 💔 pic.twitter.com/lV8koLhzUR
— Ryan Jespersen (@ryanjespersen) July 25, 2024
More to follow…
