Tour of Jasper wildfire devastation reveals destroyed homes and hotels

globalnews.ca:

For the first time since tens of thousands of people were forced to flee Jasper National Park by a wildfire that then went on to destroy about a third of the Alberta mountain town, a clearer picture is emerging of the devastation.

On Friday, Premier Danielle Smith and other officials were taken on a tour of the townsite where flames destroyed hundreds of properties — mainly residential homes — earlier this week.

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland was there. Before departing, he spoke about how he didn’t know what to expect emotionally, but imagined it could be extremely painful.

“On behalf of the community, it’s important that I go and get a sense of what we have to work with,” he said in a candid interview.

“Where the fire did the most damage — that’s where my home is. So it’s likely to be jarring and I’m doing my best to prepare myself for it. How I will react, though, remains to be seen.”

On the tour, the worst was confirmed — Ireland’s home was gone.

“This was your family home?” Premier Smith asked as the group stood on the street, looking at the remains.

“Yes, for 67 years,” Ireland replied quietly.

“Oh my gosh…I can’t even believe it,” Smith replied in shock. Ireland replied that he could now relate to his neighbours.

“I can now speak to those residents who are in same spot… I feel your pain.”

All that was left of the house was the foundation and chimney. As he looked down into the basement, Ireland spotted the ruins of possessions, including a filing cabinet.

“I see memories of life taken,” he said, pausing to take in the scene of the home his family had lived in since he was two years old. “I see 67 years.”

“So many others are going go through this same thing.”

Charred foundations where homes once stood for decades.

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