Jasper rising from the ashes: A journey of recovery one year later
About a year after a devastating wildfire hit Jasper, Alta., leading to more than $1 billion in losses, the community is on the rebound as it looks to restore the townsite to its pristine landscape
Canada's beloved community of Jasper, Alta., suffered a major loss after the destructive wildfire that first entered the townsite on July 24, 2024, but its spirits remain undeterred as efforts to rebuild it continue.
The blaze is considered to be Canada's second-costliest wildfire on record--and certainly the most impactful event in 2024-racking up more than $1 billion in insured losses, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), with figures calculated by Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ).
SEE ALSO: Buildings in Jasper in ashes after 'monster' wildfire rips through community
More than 20,000 people were forced to be evacuated during the wildfire, which destroyed nearly 360 structures, according to IBC.
(Connor O'Donovan/The Weather Network)
Rebuilding Jasper
Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper launched the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC) in August 2024, and is centred on restoring services, supporting residents and rebuilding infrastructure to support recovery in the Alberts community. At the moment, the JRCC has numerous working groups earmarked for debris management, rebuilding, interim housing, economic recovery and social recovery.
The reconstruction is being completed in five phases, with the municipality beginning the third stage in May.
And, as part of the recovery efforts, the federal government has stepped in to contribute to the financial rebuilding of Jasper.
(Parks Canada)
In February, $160.1 million in federal funding was allocated to aid the recovery of Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper. The money will go to providing interim housing and longer-term permanent housing, covering expenditures for the 2024 wildfire season mitigation and response for Parks Canada administered place and strengthening the Jasper National Park wildfire response and recovery.
Following that, in March, Prime Minister Carney revealed an investment of $187 million to repair and rebuild critical infrastructure in Jasper National Park. The funding will be provided to Parks Canada over two years, aiding the reconstruction of roads, campgrounds, trails, and permanent staff housing, and providing interim housing options for staff and residents during the recovery efforts.
“During last summer’s devastating Jasper wildfire, Canadians came together to protect and support this incredible town. Our new investment will help restore Canada’s crown jewel and help the people of Jasper rebuild their park, their economy, and their lives," said Carney, in the March news release.
Additionally, federal funding of more than $2 million was allocated, also in March, for new initiatives that will help local businesses reach and retain customers, offer much-needed storage and workspace for construction-related activities, and to boost the tourism economy.
WATCH: Year in review: Devastating wildfires in Jasper National Park
Three fires became the Jasper complex
The wildfire, which began on July 22, 2024, took about two days to reach the Jasper townsite, according to Parks Canada. Three separate wildfires had merged into one south of the town before it reached the community, becoming too large for fire crews to handle.
(Parks Canada)
The first hours after the wildfires began saw the combined area of the blazes grow to more than 6,000 hectares, according to Parks Canada. With flames reaching 30 metres to 50 metres high, new fires had begun flaring up to 500 metres ahead of the initial blaze, with significant smoke columns, so all aerial- and ground-suppression efforts had limited success. These fires became the Jasper Wildfire Complex, the government body added.
WATCH: 'Cheetah trees' appear in Jasper National Park, here's what they are
With files from CBC News.