Wildfire Evacuees Get First Glimpse of Devastation as Tours Begin
Residents impacted by the massive wildfire in Jasper, Alta., will have the opportunity to witness the destruction firsthand as tours kick off on Sunday. The Alberta government, which opened registrations for the tour to residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed, announced the start of the tours during a virtual news conference on Saturday.
Provincial emergency officials emphasized the importance of supporting residents during this difficult time. Joe Zatylny, deputy managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, highlighted that the tours would be conducted on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that residents are comfortable with the timing. Priority will be given to those directly affected by the wildfire.
The wildfire, which officials described as a monster with flames over 100 meters high, ravaged a significant portion of Jasper, destroying 358 structures out of a total of 1,113. The extent of damage in west Jasper and south of Miette Avenue was most severely affected.
Despite the challenges faced, the emergency response teams are working tirelessly to assess and manage the aftermath of the wildfire. Crews have been conducting clean-up operations in the townsite, ensuring safety and utility services for the community. The firefighting efforts in the Jasper Wildfire Complex, spanning 32,000 hectares, remain ongoing and are being closely monitored.
With several wildfires still burning across the province of Alberta, authorities issued evacuation orders for Saddle Hills County following heightened fire activity in the area. The community is urged to evacuate immediately to a designated emergency centre to ensure their safety.
As the situation continues to evolve, residents in affected areas are encouraged to stay informed and follow instructions from emergency authorities. The resilience and cooperation of the community are crucial in navigating through this challenging period.
For more updates and information on the ongoing wildfire response efforts, individuals can contact the CBC Edmonton reporter, Nicholas Frew, who specializes in producing data-driven stories, or reach out to the Audience Relations team at CBC.
Residents impacted by the massive wildfire in Jasper, Alta., will have the opportunity to witness the destruction firsthand as tours kick off on Sunday. The Alberta government, which opened registrations for the tour to residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed, announced the start of the tours during a virtual news conference on Saturday.
Provincial emergency officials emphasized the importance of supporting residents during this difficult time. Joe Zatylny, deputy managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, highlighted that the tours would be conducted on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that residents are comfortable with the timing. Priority will be given to those directly affected by the wildfire.
The wildfire, which officials described as a monster with flames over 100 meters high, ravaged a significant portion of Jasper, destroying 358 structures out of a total of 1,113. The extent of damage in west Jasper and south of Miette Avenue was most severely affected.
Despite the challenges faced, the emergency response teams are working tirelessly to assess and manage the aftermath of the wildfire. Crews have been conducting clean-up operations in the townsite, ensuring safety and utility services for the community. The firefighting efforts in the Jasper Wildfire Complex, spanning 32,000 hectares, remain ongoing and are being closely monitored.
With several wildfires still burning across the province of Alberta, authorities issued evacuation orders for Saddle Hills County following heightened fire activity in the area. The community is urged to evacuate immediately to a designated emergency centre to ensure their safety.
As the situation continues to evolve, residents in affected areas are encouraged to stay informed and follow instructions from emergency authorities. The resilience and cooperation of the community are crucial in navigating through this challenging period.
For more updates and information on the ongoing wildfire response efforts, individuals can contact the CBC Edmonton reporter, Nicholas Frew, who specializes in producing data-driven stories, or reach out to the Audience Relations team at CBC.
