30% of Jasper structures destroyed by wildfire, critical infrastructure saved: Parks Canada
While assessments are ongoing, Parks Canada officials confirmed Friday afternoon that 358 structures within the townsite in Jasper National Park were destroyed when a wildfire burned through the community this week.
In a series of social media posts, park officials noted about 30 per cent of the town is currently estimated to have been damaged. There are a total of 1,113 structures within the town. They noted that all critical infrastructure in the townsite was successfully protected, including the hospital, an emergency services building, schools, an activity centre and a wastewater treatment plant.
“The area remains closed for public safety (and an) evacuation order is still in effect,” officials said. “The priority for the 154 firefighters in Jasper is to put out any hot spots in the outskirts of Jasper and in the trees directly surrounding the town of Jasper and all structures.
“Cooler conditions are reducing fire behaviour as showers tapered off overnight.”
Premier Danielle Smith joined numerous other officials to speak at a news conference in the area on Friday afternoon and again commended firefighters and other first responders for their brave work to protect the community.
Harjit Sajjan, federal minister of emergency preparedness, spoke about the powerful winds and massive wall of flames faced by firefighters on Wednesday. Officials have said at one point wall of flames was over 100 metres tall.
“What you had to go through was absolutely horrendous,” he said. “Your courage saved so many lives, … structures.”
Richard Ireland, the mayor of Jasper, spoke about the area being well aware of the threat posed by wildfire and how much time and money had been invested to provide training and to improve collaboration
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