Parks Canada says list of damaged buildings released “shortly”

According to Parks Canada, 358 structures in Jasper have been destroyed and they could release a list of specific addresses as early as today.

Jasper residents who don’t know the status of their homes or businesses will find out “shortly” what is still standing and what has been damaged or destroyed by the fire. 

According to a statement released at 10 p.m. on July 26, Parks Canada is “finalizing a list of addresses of damaged structures and intend to release it shortly.”

Parks Canada has confirmed the extent of the damage to infrastructure in Jasper so far, but not specific addresses. 

Amid the ongoing wildfire situation, 358 structures in Jasper have been destroyed out of a total of 1,113, stated Parks Canada. 

The townsite’s critical infrastructure, including the hospital, emergency services building, activity centre, wastewater treatment plant and the town’s three schools — Jasper Elementary School, Jasper Junior/Senior High School and Ecole Desrochers — were successfully protected.

The town’s iconic Jasper the Bear statue also survived the blaze.

“It is clear, sadly, that many homes and some businesses have been lost. Our preliminary observation shows that about 33 per cent of the Jasper townsite incurred total or partial structural loss. The upside of that is that it means close to 70 per cent of the town has low to no damage,” Premier Danielle Smith said on July 26.

“These preliminary numbers are of course better than originally expected. However, the damage is still significant, especially to those who lost their homes and their businesses.”

The Province is holding a press conference today at 2 p.m. (July 27).

Jasper National Park remains closed, and it will be weeks before residents and business owners will be allowed back to the Jasper townsite, according to Stephen Lacroix, managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.