Premier wants bus tours for Jasper evacuees, temporary housing while they rebuild
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she'd like to see bus tours organized for evacuated residents of Jasper so they can see the damage a wildfire did to their town for themselves and know what to expect when they're eventually allowed to return home.
Smith made the comments on her provincewide call-in radio show on Saturday, where she also told listeners she'd like temporary housing arranged for residents so they can live in the town while they rebuild their homes.
Parks Canada has estimated 30 per cent of Jasper's structures were damaged by the wildfire, with 358 of the town's 1,113 structures destroyed.
Smith, along with Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and other dignitaries, toured the evacuated town on Friday, where they passed the charred remains of the home where Ireland himself grew up.
More than 20,000 people in and around the town nestled in the Rocky Mountains four hours west of Edmonton were ordered to evacuate late Monday night due to fast-moving wildfires.
Smith notes temporary housing was also used during the reconstruction of High River, Alta., after it suffered devastating floods back in 2013.
"So we have seen a precedent where you set up a temporary community that allows people to live on-site while rebuilding is occurring," Smith told her radio audience, noting that nearby Hinton, Alta., may be relied on for construction workers.
She said she expected it would be close to 28 days before Jasper residents would be allowed to return to their town, explaining it took a similar amount of time before Fort McMurray residents got the green light to go home after it was hit by a ferocious fire in 2016.
While Smith said after her tour of the town Friday that critical infrastructure remained intact, including schools, the hospital, and water treatment services, she said on Saturday that staff needed to get inside the hospital to check for damage since there were reports its roof had been on fire.
Because the town is part of Jasper National Park, rebuilding plans are taking shape with help from the federal government, Smith said.
"We've already begun a joint task force on how recovery is going to take place, trying to time when people are able to return to their community, and I'm very hopeful it will come back better than ever."
A statement posted to X late Friday night said fire crews were taking advantage of cool and wet conditions to make progress on addressing hot spots in smouldering buildings.
The same statement also noted crews were also working to control hot spots along the wildfire perimeter nearest the Jasper townsite.
Among the properties affected by the wildfire include the well-known Maligne Lodge.
Officials from Alberta Wildfire and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency are scheduled to provide an update on the ongoing wildfire situation later Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2024
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029296.1725730961!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
Three teens charged for armed robbery at Kitchener jewelry store
Three teens were arrested for an armed robbery at a Kitchener jewelry store after witnesses caught and detained the suspects until officers arrived on scene.
Manhunt underway after 5 people injured in Kentucky shooting near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Ky., according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.