Alberta Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged how re-entry “wasn’t an easy day” for Jasper residents during a telephone town hall on Monday (Aug. 19).
This was the fourth telephone town hall since Jasper was evacuated in late July and the first call since residents were allowed to return home.
“Our government is with you every step of the way to help you through the recovery of your homes, your businesses and your town, and we know that recovery includes much more than physical rebuilding,” Smith said. “Losing your home is a trauma most of us will never have to experience, and I encourage anyone who's struggling emotionally to reach out for help.”
Smith also acknowledged the work of first responders who protected the Jasper townsite and park from further damage from the wildfire, which is now classified as “being held.”
“Many structures have been saved, and some facilities have begun to reopen, including the hospital ER, but services are all still quite limited, so if you do go back, be prepared that you may not be able to stay, and if you do stay, you have to make sure that you’ve got some of the supplies that you’re going to need in case you can’t get everything that you need in town,” Smith said.
“And remember, help is out there, so please lean on your fellow Albertans, because we are all here to help you get through this.”
Re-entry progress
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said residents who were returning home would feel “conflicting emotions,” with initial feelings of relief at being able to return mixed with feelings of sadness at seeing the state of the community.
Ireland noted that the RCMP checkpoints had been lifted, but there would still be patrols in town, and visitors are still asked to stay away.
“There is not capacity to host visitors, and visitors have been generous in their response to the online notification that the entry checkpoints have changed,” he said.
As of Monday (Aug. 19), 8,750 evacuees have registered at a reception centre and online, and ATCO has undertaken 604 gas-relights in Jasper.
In addition, 1,500 cleaning buckets have been picked up from the Red Cross, and 670 residents have visited the insurance tent in Commemoration Park.
Crews have picked up 500 appliances, such as contaminated fridges, from around town, and residents have submitted 165 intake applications for Team Rubicon Canada to access their fenced-off property.
Municipal crews are working to reopen parks and playgrounds.
The off-leash area and skate park are open for use, and crews continue to work on Firemans’ Park, Lion’s Park and Centennial Park.
Return to school
Grande Yellowhead Public School Division has confirmed that its Jasper schools will reopen on Sept. 17.
The buildings are currently undergoing a deep clean and won’t be ready in time for the start of the school year.
Transportation will be provided to Jasper students who are temporarily living in Hinton.
Those who are residing in another municipality for the foreseeable future with no known return timeline should arrange for their child to attend a school where they are now living.
The school division will host an online parent information session on Wednesday (Aug. 21) over Zoom, with the link and more information on the division’s website.
Temporary housing
During the town hall, several residents asked about what temporary housing would look like in Jasper.
Residents were directed to fill out an online housing needs assessment survey.
Christopher Read, director of community development with the Municipality of Jasper, said the housing survey would help officials make “data-driven decisions.”
“So, if we have the correct information that tells us who needs what and when, then we can make appropriate choices in exactly what kind of housing plan we can make,” Read said.
“And the housing plan is currently under development and so the information that we get from the survey will be key in making that housing plan the best it can be.”
An intergovernmental committee is currently focused on transitional and interim housing needs for residents and essential workers.
The committee is made up of officials from the Municipality of Jasper, Parks Canada and the Alberta government.
