Critical infrastructure saved in Jasper as 1/3rd of town destroyed by wildfire | FULL
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan and Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland provided an update on the town of Jasper, where a wildfire swept through the popular national park mountain town this week. About 30 per cent of the town was damaged or destroyed, however Smith noted critical infrastructure like schools, hospital, emergency services building and the wastewater treatment plant are safe. She also said provincial relief payments for evacuees will be expedited in light of the evacuation order being expected to remain in place for some time. Mayor Ireland said the mountain town's residents are aware of the fire risks that come with the location and believes Parks Canada and other agencies did all they could to prevent the fire, but it was simply unstoppable. The recent rainfall and cooler weather in Jasper National Park have helped to limit the spread of wildfires, providing a boost to firefighting efforts. The park authorities are optimistic that the fire behaviour will calm over the next 72 hours due to the rainfall. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10645096/jasper-alberta-wildfires-july-26/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #AlbertaWildfires #Canada