August 22, 2024
On July 22, 2024 at 9:59 PM, the news we all feared arrived: an evacuation order for Jasper. One month later, Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper and those impacted by the Jasper Wildfire Complex find ourselves reflecting on the situation that shook our community.
Our community has risen to meet the challenge. We’ve seen neighbours supporting each other, countless acts of kindness, and an outpouring of help from people near and far. We’re grateful for the dedication of emergency personnel and the unwavering support of the Federal and Provincial Governments.
Cities and towns across Alberta and British Columbia welcomed Jasperites with open arms and we are so appreciative to you for taking such amazing care of us. We are also grateful to the Town of Hinton for hosting and supporting the thousands of incident management staff and first responders.
This monumental effort stands on the shoulders of years of collaboration between Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper. These partnerships, which solidified during the 2022 Chetamon Wildfire, prepared us to respond to this wildfire with resilience and experience.
In the past month, together we have marked many milestones toward the objective of extinguishing the Jasper Wildfire Complex. We share these today to honour the hundreds of thousands of hours of hard work, the dedication of thousands of people and the unbreakable spirit of Jasper:
- July 22-24: More than 20,000 people evacuated safely from Jasper National Park and town of Jasper.
- July 24-25: 755 of the town’s structures, including all critical infrastructure, is protected and saved from destruction.
- July 29: Re-entry criteria is established.
- July 31: Highway 16 is partially reopened.
- August 3: Perimeter fencing and hazardous tree removals are completed in town.
- August 9: Northwest perimeter closest to town is 80% contained.
- August 12: The northwest fire perimeter is 99% contained or controlled. The re-entry for residents is announced.
- August 14: 78% of the total fire perimeter is contained or controlled.
- August 15: The northwest fire perimeter is 100% contained or controlled.
- August 16: Re-entry supports begin for residents and business operators.
- August 17: The fire is classified as being held and the Evacuation Alert is lifted from the townsite.
- August 19: Highway 16 fully reopens.
Under the direction of Unified Command between Jasper National Park and the Municipality of Jasper, we have reached a point where it is safe for residents to return and begin the journey of recovery. Having fulfilled its purpose, Unified Command between Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper will transition to a Joint Recovery Coordination Centre to guide the recovery effort with support from all levels of government. A Parks Canada wildfire incident management team will continue to lead the ongoing response to the Jasper Wildfire Complex.
The road ahead is long, and with every passing day we move one step closer to healing. Jasper’s spirit is unshakable. We honour the resilience of our community and the tireless efforts of those, from here and away, who have worked to protect and restore it.
From the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU. Your strength helps Jasper rise stronger than ever.