Monday marks the fourth day Jasper residents have been able to return to the town. Recovery efforts are ongoing and will be ongoing in the weeks and months ahead. Significant work has been done to combat wildfire activity across the province, resulting in the lowest number of wildfires since early July.
Telephone town hall
- Albertans that were evacuated due to wildfires can join a telephone town hall tonight, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to get updates on the wildfire situation and answers to their questions.
- Join online at alberta.ca/emergency or by phone at 1-833-380-0691.
- If you’re not able to join, a recording will be available after the event.
Recovery task force actions
- Work is focused on transitional and interim housing needs for residents and essential workers. This includes looking at options for workers who will help rebuild the community, and temporary housing for residents who have been displaced.
- The Municipality of Jasper’s Housing Needs Assessment Survey is helping inform these efforts to secure suitable housing for those who need it.
- The survey is available at https://www.alberta.ca/jasper-housing-needs-questionnaire. The survey will remain online this week and translation services are available in French, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Hindi and Arabic.
- As of Aug.19, more than 1,400 survey responses have been submitted, providing information about more than 3,100 adults and children.
- The task force is also working with the Canadian Red Cross on a conditional grant agreement for matching funds. The governments of Canada and Alberta will match donations made to the CRC 2024 Alberta Fires Appeal until August 24, 2024. To date, more than $11 million has been donated to the Alberta Wildfires Appeal.
Health care services
- Basic emergency department services were restored to the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre on Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. No issues have been reported at this time.
- Restoration work on the remaining areas of the health centre continues and is on schedule.
- Cottage Medical Clinic cleaning has been prioritized to allow for this clinic to open as soon as possible.
- One nurse practitioner will be on site at the Jasper Re-Entry Support Centre starting Tuesday, Aug. 20.
- AHS Environmental Public Health inspectors will be on site at the Jasper Re-Entry Support Centre to help residents and businesses with questions/concerns, and to carry out inspections on an as needed basis. Additional inspectors can be deployed by AHS if needed.
- For information about wildfire-related health resources, including mental health, visit ahs.ca/wildfire.
Schools
- Barring any unforeseen challenges, schools in Jasper will be ready to welcome students back on Sept. 17.
- Families staying outside Jasper can register their children to attend school in any community by contacting the local school authority.
- Inspections of the school buildings have indicated that there is smoke and ash inside, and the air quality is poor. Work to deep clean the schools is currently underway and remediation contractors have 24/7 access to the sites.
- Families who are considering online learning or resources are encouraged to contact school authorities.
- Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on school operations, transportation and back-to-school planning:
Court services
- The Alberta Court of Justice in Jasper remains closed until further notice.
- Court matters previously scheduled to be heard at the Jasper Courthouse will be heard at the Hinton Courthouse.
Roads and highways status
- Highway 16 is fully reopened, 24 hours/day. Motorists must proceed directly through the park with no stopping along the highway.
- Obey all posted signage and speed limits as there are still ongoing fire suppression activities.
- Highway 93N / Icefields Parkway remains closed between Highway 16 and the Icefields Information Centre.
- 511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.
Mental health and addiction resources
- For residents returning to Jasper:
- Alberta Health Services is providing mental health supports at the Re-Entry Centre in Jasper, through a mobile unit and at the Jasper Seton Healthcare Centre, and at the Reception Centres in Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Calgary.
- 211 Alberta is also providing in-person navigation support at the Re-Entry Centre in Jasper.
- Mental health and addiction resources are available for Albertans of any age who may be struggling with their mental health or wanting to talk to someone about how they are feeling:
- Call the AHS Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642 or visit ahs.ca/wildfire.
- Call 211 or text INFO to 211 or visit ab.211.ca to access digital supports or find local services near you.
- When calling 211, press 6 for immediate support. If you’re in B.C., dial 211 and say you’re from Alberta.
- Call Counselling Alberta at 1-833-827-4230 or visit counsellingalberta.com for online counselling services.
- A French-language mental health help line is also available through TAO Tel-Aide at
1-800-567-9699.
- Addiction supports are also available:
- Call the AHS Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 or Health Link at 811.
- Call the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program at 1-844-383-7688 for same-day treatment with no fees, no waitlist.
Wildfire situation
- There are 85 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area.
- Five are classified as out of control, 41 are being held and 39 are under control.
- According to Parks Canada, the wildfire in Jasper National Park is now classified as being held.
- Alberta’s government continues to assist Parks Canada with more than 30 wildland firefighters, as well as heavy equipment and other resources.
- The Semo Complex wildfire (HWF061) is still classified as out of control at nearly 107,000 hectares in size.
- It is about two kilometres from Highway 58, 13 kilometres from Garden River, 19 kilometres from John D’Or Prairie and 15 kilometres from Fox Lake.
- Almost 600 wildland firefighters and support personnel, 24 helicopters and 130 pieces of heavy equipment are currently working on the Semo Wildfire Complex.
- Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
