(Parks Canada)

By Government of Alberta

UPDATE #9

Recovery efforts continue to support the return of Jasper residents

Sep 19, 2024 | 4:20 PM

Recovery efforts continue to support the return of Jasper residents.

Recovery task force actions

• The Jasper Recovery Task Force continues to support the development of interim housing options for displaced residents, essential workers and workers to help rebuild Jasper. Provincial officials are working with the Municipality of Jasper to evaluate the expressions of interest and determine the best options for consideration.
• Government supports for vulnerable individuals or those in acute financial need remain available. Anyone who needs information on available government supports can contact the 24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135.
• To date, almost $13 million has been donated to the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal. Donations can still be made through the Canadian Red Cross. Alberta’s government is working with the Canadian Red Cross to determine the best use of those funds, and how they can best serve the people of Jasper. Some of these funds are supporting the Red Cross’ Support for Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program.
• Parks Canada has streamlined its process for obtaining permits for demolition, remediation, and debris removal at non-industrial sites. This was done with involvement from the Municipality of Jasper, the Government of Alberta Occupational Health and Safety and Parks Canada to consolidate all pertinent information and requirements in one place for lessees. Those who have not already submitted an application for a demolition permit should submit applications or questions to developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca. Those who have already applied for a demolition permit will receive a response in the coming days.

Disaster Recovery Program

• The government has approved a Disaster Recovery Program with up to $149 million in financial support to help the Municipality of Jasper with costs related to wildfire response and to support the long process of recovery and rebuilding.
• Eligible expenses that may be covered could include volunteer firefighter wages, local authority firefighter and municipal staff overtime costs, mutual aid costs for reception centre accommodation, food and transportation, structural protection costs and infrastructure damaged as a result of the wildfire response. Funding through the program is not intended to replace appropriate fire insurance coverage.

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Eligibility for Emergency Evacuation Payments

• Residents affected by mandatory evacuation orders that exceed a minimum of seven days are eligible for one-time emergency evacuation payments of $1,250 for each adult and $500 for each child under the age of 18.
• Evacuees are encouraged to apply for these emergency payments online at evacuationpayment.alberta.ca, by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or by visiting an Alberta Supports office for assistance. Locations can be found at alberta.ca/alberta-supports.
• People who left their home community, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, are not eligible for payment.
• If you require emergency income support, please contact 1-866-644-5135. For other information and support, please call Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

Health care services

• As of Aug. 26, all services at the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre have returned to normal operations with all services being provided in the community.
• For information about wildfire-related health resources, including mental health, visit ahs.ca/wildfire.

Schools

• Jasper schools reopened on Sept. 17.
• Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on school operations and back-to-school planning:
  • Grande Yellowhead Public School Division
  • Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (email jasper@centrenord.ab.ca)

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. Limited services are available in the Town of Jasper.
• Highway 93/Icefields Parkway is open to through traffic only.
• Highway 93A remains closed.
• 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, Recovery Alberta continues to provide mental health supports at the Re-entry Centre in Jasper, including referrals to specialized services and resource information, and at the Mental Health and Addiction Community Clinic at the Jasper Seton Healthcare Centre.
• Mental health and addiction resources are available for all 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 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.
  • Call Counselling Alberta at 1-833-827-4230 or visit counsellingalberta.com for online counselling services. Wildfire evacuees can access counselling free of charge.
  • 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 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 60 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area.
  • 17 are being held and 43 are under control.
• Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Fire bans

• There are no fire advisories, restrictions or bans in the Forest Protection Area. Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.

This will be the final update issued on wildfire recovery.

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