Officials with Jasper National Park have provided an updated on the Jasper Complex Wildfire.
Officials say efforts to protect the townsite from further damages are progressing well as crews continue to set up a 12-inch sprinkler system along the communities fire guard. Officials also say ground and air crews continue to fight the wildfire on multiple fronts while the Canadian Armed Forces are working on extinguishing hot spots in the northwest part of the community.
An update has also been provided on the size and perimeter of the fire. Officials had originally estimated the affected area to be approximately 36,000 hectares, however following an aerial inspection conducted on July 26, officials now believe the affected area to be 32,000 hectares.
image from the Jasper National Park Facebook page
With warmer temperatures and dryer conditions in the forecast for the start of August, experts say increased fire activity is expected. As such, officials say the Jasper Skytram Road was widened to create a larger control line on Whistlers Mountain in an attempt to provide greater protection for the townsite.
Updates have also been provided on supports available for Jasper evacuees.
Provincial officials are informing Jasper evacuees that a Telephone Town Hall Meeting will be held on Monday, July 29, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Residents can participate by calling 1-833-380-0691, or online at alberta.ca/emergency
Officials are also informing Jasper evacuees that financial assistance is available for those who may need it. Eligible evacuees can receive $1,250.00 per adult and an additional $500.00 per dependent child under the age of 18. Evacuees who have an Alberta.ca account can apply for financial assistance on the Government of Alberta website. Evacuees without an Alberta.ca account or access to the internet are being asked to contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 for further assistance.
Individuals who are unable to work due to the wildfire are being advised to apply for Employment Insurance with Service Canada and other supports from the Red Cross.
Application forms for Employment Insurance can be found here.
Support available through the Red Cross can be found here.
Evacuees who were expecting important documents in the mail before being evacuated are being told to contact Canada Post online or by calling 1-888-550-6333.
Service Canada has also set up an online Outreach Support Centre that can provide supports for a number of areas including:
- Employment Insurance benefits
- Social Insurance Number
- Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security
- Indigenous programs and services
- Services for Seniors
- Services for Persons with disabilities
- Services for Newcomers and Temporary Foreign Workers
- Information for employers
Evacuees are also being encouraged to begin filling out insurance claims as soon as possible. Officials with the Insurance Bureau of Canada say standard home and business policies should cover damages from wildfires and have set up a Consumer Information Centre to help residents with their policies following an evacuation. The Consumer Information Centre can be contacted at 1-844-227-5422 or by emailing AskIBCWest@ibc.ca
Updates will continue to be posted to the Jasper National Park Facebook page, the Town of Jasper Facebook page, the YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) Facebook page, the Municipality of Jasper website and the Emergency Alert section of the Government of Alberta website as they become available.
