Jasper Wildfire Destroys Buildings, Leaves Ashes in Its Wake
A video circulating online July 25 shows blocks and blocks of Jasper homes and buildings reduced to charred rubble by the wildfire that roared through the Alberta town just hours before.
The footage was taken from the inside of a truck as the vehicle drives slowly through what appears to be a residential neighbourhood.
The video captured blackened shells of vehicles parked along the streets and numerous trees that had been burned and damaged.
“There’s mom and dad’s house,” a voice in the video says as the footage shows a wooden foundation surrounded by charred trees. The truck then turns right onto a new street, revealing another block of homes that had been destroyed.
‘The Magic is Not Lost’
Premier Danielle Smith was emotional during a July 25 news conference, tearing up as she provided an update on the wildfire situation.
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“For many generations, the town of Jasper and the parks surrounding it have been a source of pride with some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire in the world.”
The premier told residents that they were not alone and that everyone shared in the loss.
“To the residents, families, and business owners who call Jasper home, we will recover from this,” she said. “The magic is not lost and it never will be.”
Jasper National Park confirmed the damage in a post on Facebook.
Park staff said it was “impossible” to provide information on specific damage.
“As you can understand, the accuracy of this information is critical because it has a direct impact on members of the community. We will share more information as soon as we are able to ensure its accuracy.”
“We can confirm the fire has reached the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge grounds, however, we are unclear about the extent of the damage,” the post said.
Ottawa has approved Alberta’s request for military assistance to battle the fires.
Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.
