Residents of Jasper, Alberta are facing an uncertain future as officials have declared the town “not safe” for them to return home following the devastating wildfire that tore through the community. During an in-person briefing, Jasper municipality incident commander Christine Nadon warned residents that the townsite is still not secure, with the risk of hazardous chemicals released by the structural fires posing a serious threat to health.
The scale of destruction caused by the wildfire is staggering, with deputy incident commander for Parks Canada, Landon Shepherd, revealing that this is the largest fire recorded in Jasper National Park in the last century. The recovery process is expected to be long and arduous, with officials estimating that they will be battling the wildfire for at least the next three months. The lingering fire season in Jasper means that the threat of wildfires extends well into the fall, highlighting the challenges faced by the community in the coming months.
The municipality of Jasper has released a map and address list of damaged and destroyed residences and businesses, offering residents some insight into the extent of the devastation caused by the wildfire. According to Parks Canada officials, approximately 30 percent of structures within the townsite in Jasper National Park have been destroyed, leaving many residents without homes or businesses to return to.
As residents grapple with the aftermath of the wildfire, the community must come together to support one another and rebuild in the face of adversity. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with resilience and determination, Jasper will rise from the ashes and emerge stronger than ever before.
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Video “Jasper wildfire: Residents can’t return home yet as town is “not safe,” officials say | FULL” was uploaded on 07/28/2024 to Youtube Channel Global News