"Will never see Jasper as it was": Albertans share memories, sadness over destructive wildfire
Albertans are grieving the loss of a beloved and historic townsite as photos and reports trickle in showing devastating loss to the town of Jasper from a massive wildfire.
On Monday night, all of Jasper National Park, including the townsite, was ordered to evacuate, and by Wednesday, the blaze had roared into the south side of the mountain town.
According to the latest update from officials with Jasper National Park, the wildfire has caused āsignificant lossā in the Jasper townsite. Photos and videos from within the community show multiple buildings engulfed in flames.
A video circulating Thursday morning shows someone driving through the Jasper townsite and videotaping rows of houses that have been completely razed.
also saw this a moment ago pic.twitter.com/J6ieBcFzsR
ā Joshua Gariepy (@joshua_gariepy) July 25, 2024
#jasper #JasperNationalPark #JasperWildfire pic.twitter.com/YYBYRZhcXJ
— C (@mrcr9419) July 25, 2024
Jasper has a special place in Albertans’ hearts. A popular getaway spot for locals and international tourists, news of the town’s devastation has hit many hard. Albertans on social media, including on X and a Reddit thread, have begun to express their sadness over the town’s loss.
Heart goes out to those in the Jasper area. Sad to see the community go up flames. Visited the town the last two summers. Such a beautiful area to explore. Fricking brutal stuff pic.twitter.com/k93xaubTvZ
ā Grady Sas (@GradySas) July 25, 2024
Sick to my stomach seeing the tweets & photos from Jasper. One of my fav places on earth. Camped there last week. Just devastating. pic.twitter.com/jFGNDERJC5
ā Annalise Klingbeil (@AnnaliseAK) July 25, 2024
the town of jasper is gone. I loved this place. and it simply doesnāt exist anymore. beyond devastated. #jasper #jasperfire pic.twitter.com/kRXOoFBvuH
ā Jeremy Rand (@Jeremyrand101) July 25, 2024
the town of jasper is gone. I loved this place. and it simply doesnāt exist anymore. beyond devastated. #jasper #jasperfire pic.twitter.com/kRXOoFBvuH
ā Jeremy Rand (@Jeremyrand101) July 25, 2024
Sick to my stomach seeing the tweets & photos from Jasper. One of my fav places on earth. Camped there last week. Just devastating. pic.twitter.com/jFGNDERJC5
ā Annalise Klingbeil (@AnnaliseAK) July 25, 2024
The latest update from Parks Canada detailed that while structural firefighters continue to work to save as many structures as possible, it confirmed significant loss within the townsite.
In a post shared on its Instagram account late Wednesday evening, Jasper Park Lodge stated that all of its colleagues and guests had been safely evacuated before confirming that the fire had reached the hotelās grounds; however, the extent of the damage is unknown.
The province is scheduled to give an update on wildfires on Thursday at 11 am.
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