**”Jasper Wildfire Evacuees Set to Witness Devastation on Bus Tours”**
In a move that promises some closure for those affected by the recent massive wildfire in Jasper, Alberta, evacuees are gearing up to board buses on Sunday for heart-wrenching tours of the destruction left in the fire’s wake.
Following the announcement made during a virtual news conference held by provincial emergency officials on Saturday, the tours will begin on Sunday, provided that fire conditions permit safe access. Deputy managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, Joe Zatylny, emphasized the significance of this opportunity for residents, acknowledging the emotional toll of returning to witness the aftermath firsthand.
The devastating wildfire, which struck the town of Jasper on July 24, has left a trail of destruction with an estimated 358 out of 1,113 structures destroyed. Most of the damage was concentrated in west Jasper and south of Miette Avenue, as revealed by a map released by the municipality. However, a comprehensive assessment is still pending to determine the full extent of the disaster.
Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed have been given priority for the tours, with strict protocol in place to ensure safety. Evacuees will be kept on the bus throughout the tour, which will depart from Edmonton and Hinton, Alberta, provided conditions remain favorable.
Meanwhile, the Jasper Wildfire Complex, encompassing a group of fires within Jasper National Park, has ravaged approximately 32,000 hectares and remains uncontained. The unrelenting blaze is just one of the 119 wildfires currently scorching the province, prompting evacuation orders in areas like Saddle Hills County, northwest of Grande Prairie.
As firefighters and aircraft battle the inferno, cleanup efforts are underway in Jasper, with Chief Mathew Conte assuring that damaged properties are being secured, while utility crews work to maintain vital infrastructure such as the water system.
The town grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic wildfire, as its resilient residents prepare to confront the reality left in its destructive path.
In a move that promises some closure for those affected by the recent massive wildfire in Jasper, Alberta, evacuees are gearing up to board buses on Sunday for heart-wrenching tours of the destruction left in the fire’s wake.
Following the announcement made during a virtual news conference held by provincial emergency officials on Saturday, the tours will begin on Sunday, provided that fire conditions permit safe access. Deputy managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, Joe Zatylny, emphasized the significance of this opportunity for residents, acknowledging the emotional toll of returning to witness the aftermath firsthand.
The devastating wildfire, which struck the town of Jasper on July 24, has left a trail of destruction with an estimated 358 out of 1,113 structures destroyed. Most of the damage was concentrated in west Jasper and south of Miette Avenue, as revealed by a map released by the municipality. However, a comprehensive assessment is still pending to determine the full extent of the disaster.
Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed have been given priority for the tours, with strict protocol in place to ensure safety. Evacuees will be kept on the bus throughout the tour, which will depart from Edmonton and Hinton, Alberta, provided conditions remain favorable.
Meanwhile, the Jasper Wildfire Complex, encompassing a group of fires within Jasper National Park, has ravaged approximately 32,000 hectares and remains uncontained. The unrelenting blaze is just one of the 119 wildfires currently scorching the province, prompting evacuation orders in areas like Saddle Hills County, northwest of Grande Prairie.
As firefighters and aircraft battle the inferno, cleanup efforts are underway in Jasper, with Chief Mathew Conte assuring that damaged properties are being secured, while utility crews work to maintain vital infrastructure such as the water system.
The town grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic wildfire, as its resilient residents prepare to confront the reality left in its destructive path.
