July 25, 2024 

𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿:

Dear Jasperites,
I write to you today with profound sorrow as we begin to come to terms with the devastating impact of last night’s wildfire that has ravaged our beloved community. The destruction and loss that many of you are facing and feeling is beyond description and comprehension; my deepest sympathies go out to each of you.

Our first priority continues to be your safety and well-being. The Incident Management Team together with responders on the ground, continue to work valiantly to protect our town – our home – and to coordinate supports for evacuees in other communities.

I want to assure you that your Mayor and Councillors are committed to supporting our community through this truly unprecedented challenge and beyond. We will work closely with all levels of government, other organizations, and volunteers to coordinate relief efforts and provide essential resources and information.

Your resilience and strength have always been the backbone of our community. In the coming days and weeks, we will rally together, support one another, and begin the daunting process of recovery.

Please continue to be patient and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
This experience is tremendously traumatic for each of us and for the community. I encourage you to reach out to your neighbours, colleagues and friends: share your grief; share your pain; stay connected.

Offer a helping hand, a listening ear, a supportive word where you can, and know that we are all in this together.

With unwavering support and resolve,

Mayor Ireland
_______________________
Jasper, it’s hard to know where to start, but here are some resources compiled by our team:

𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: It's normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or sad. Some physical symptoms might include headaches, stomach aches, or muscle tension.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: If you experience severe emotional reactions, such as excessive guilt, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, please reach out for professional help.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗲𝘀
1. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated: Good nutrition and hydration are crucial for maintaining your energy, focus, and overall health.
2. Stay Active: Gentle physical activities, like walking or stretching, can help relieve stress and improve your mood.
3. Get Enough Rest: Ensure you and your family get adequate sleep to better manage stress and emotions.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing exercises can calm your nervous system and help you think more clearly.
Support for Children and Teens
• Limit Media Exposure: Protect children from repeated exposure to distressing news. When they do see or hear about the disaster, discuss it calmly and reassure them.
• Model Positive Coping: Children learn from your reactions.

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗲:
Encourage Open Communication: Let children express their feelings and ask questions. Answer honestly at a level they can understand.
Maintain Routines: Keeping regular meal and sleep times can provide a sense of normalcy and security.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:
Psychologists’ Association of Alberta: 3 free sessions with a volunteer psychologist. 1-888-424-0297 | paa@paa-ab.ca
Mental Health Help Line (24/7): 1-877-303-2642
Addiction Help Line: 1-866-332-2322
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
Crisis Text Line Text: “CONNECT” to 741741
Alberta 211: 211 Alberta is a 24/7 crisis line and single point of contact for digital supports and services near you – no matter where you are in the province. Call or text 'INFO' to 211 or visit ab.211.ca.
Text4hope: Text HOPEAB to 393939 to subscribe.
Health Link: 811
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, www.KidsHelpPhone.caDue to significant fire activity and forecasted strong winds, first responders will start to be relocated to Hinton. Firefighting personnel, aircraft and a small number of Incident Command staff will remain in the town of Jasper and continue efforts to protect the town.

UPDATE:
The safety of the public and responders is our top priority.

One of the last tactics for protecting the community are landscape-level ignition operations where fire specialists bring the fire to large holding features, including Highway 16 and the Athabasca River.

If you have not yet evacuated town you must leave now. This is for your own safety and to allow these critical operations to protect the town of Jasper to continue unimpeded.

This decision has not been made lightly. First responders dedicate their lives to the protection of people and communities. Given the intensity of fire behaviour being observed the decision has been made to limit the number of responders exposed to this risk.

Our hearts go out to all of the affected community members, their families and their friends, many of which include our local first responders.

Thank you.

Signed,
Parks Canada, Incident Commander Katie Ellsworth
Municipality of Jasper, Incident Commander Christine Nadon