Jasper damage map released as park’s largest wildfire in 100 years rages

globalnews.ca:

Jasper National Park found out on Saturday for certain whether or not they have a property to return to.The municipality of Jasper released a high-resolution map and list of properties showing the structures destroyed this past week (go to bottom of this story to see map and list), which includes single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, a hostel, church, senior’s manor, gas station and other businesses.Parks Canada has estimated that 30 per cent of Jasper’s structures were damaged by the wildfire, with 358 of the town’s 1,113 structures destroyed.Christine Nadon, the incident commander for the Municipality of Jasper, said it was an all-or-nothing situation — buildings were either razed to the ground or not affected at all.“Most structures were destroyed and very few were damaged,” she said during an update Saturday afternoon alongside Parks Canada officials.“Many of you will have your worst fears confirmed today.”Nadon’s regular job sees her in charge of the fire department.On Wednesday night as flames bore down on the mountain community, Nadon said she was inside the fire hall listening to scanners, monitoring maps and trying to keep track of her people as the fire consumed home after home — hers included.“It’s heartbreaking is what it is. Some of those structures we will rebuild.

But we’re looking at some historical buildings, people’s homes, personal belongings. I lost my home.”The map released Saturday showed how nearly an entire block of homes could be levelled to the ground but leave a single house standing in the midst of the rubble.“I would say our entire community is affected, whether you have a home standing or not.

Survivor’s guilt is a thing. Why is my house here and yours isn’t?”Not pictured on the map