Jasper Residents Allowed Back After Wildfire Destroyed Ski Town
17th August 2024
Last modified on August 21st, 2024
The historic town in Alberta, Canada, was hit by a huge wildfire last month. Residents have now been allowed to return home to try to salvage what they can.
The largest wildfire in a century in Jasper National Park burned through 81,663 acres of land, including the town of Jasper.
Residents of Jasper were allowed to return to their fire-ravaged town on Friday 16th August.
Only two-thirds of the town remains standing after the late July blaze.
See here for the latest drone footage of the damage on the BBC
We reported on the fire at the time:
And the fortunate escape of the local ski resort of Marmot Basin:
Canada wildfires. Image © PlanetSKI
30% of all buildings in the town were destroyed and residents were advised to expect the worst and to use caution when entering their properties.
“The photos you have seen will not prepare you for the smell,” the municipality warned in a statement to residents returning.
“The state of Jasper is very different now. The process of returning may be intense.”
358 of Jasper’s 1,113 buildings were burnt to the ground.
Entire neighbourhoods in the south of town were completely destroyed.
There was no loss of life with 25,000 people evacuated.
Only residents and support people who are helping them deal the disaster have been granted access to the town.
See here for a full report on CBC.
