Unless you’ve been offline, you know about the horrific Jasper fire event that occurred at the Jasper townsite in Jasper National Park. The middle of the night evacuation on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2024 is unfathomable to me. I’m in shock at how fast the fire moved and how little warning people had to collect their belongings and leave. With two highways closed, everyone was directed west to British Columbia – and from there had to take a circuitous route back to Calgary, Edmonton or wherever their final destination happened to be.
Many people from Jasper have lost their homes and livelihoods. Visitors have had their travel plans massively disrupted at great personal expense. It’s an awful situation for all involved. On the positive side a huge heartfelt thanks to all the firefighters and ground personnel working so hard in such awful conditions across Alberta.
Watch the video showing the devastation the fire wrought in Jasper.
What happens next in Jasper?
I can’t speak to what is going to happen to the town of Jasper or to Jasper National Park in the next few days or even the next few years because of the Jasper fire. But what I can do is pull together a list of resources that will be valuable and hopefully answer some of your questions, whether you’re a visitor or a resident. I’ll continue to update this list as I find more online resources.
Staying current on fires in Alberta and British Columbia
In Alberta download the AB Wildfire Status app on Google Play.
In BC download BC Wildfire Service on Google Play. It’s an excellent app and user friendly.
For more information on the Jasper fire check out the Parks Canada Wildfire website (where you’ll learn that the schools, hospital, emergency services building, activity centre and wastewater treatment centre were protected) the Jasper National Park Facebook page, the municipality of Jasper Facebook page and Alberta 511 for road closures.
If the Jasper fire has displaced you
Register as an evacuee: Jasper locals and visitors alike have been sent far and wide. The first thing you should do is register as an evacuee – and online is best. Keep all receipts for gas, food, and accommodation in case you can get reimbursed later.
Where to go in Calgary: There is a reception centre at the Shouldice Arena located at 1515 Home Road NW. Upon arrival you will be greeted, asked what you need and someone will set you up with the right support. Available support includes accommodation, pet support, RV sites, washrooms, temporary parking, health resources, clothing and personal hygiene items.
Where to go in Edmonton: Head for the Kennedale Building at 12814 58th Street. The Red Cross is onsite to help you obtain lodging. You’ll also be able to access other services including pet care, food and water, toiletries, and clothing.
Where to go in British Columbia: Reportedly BC towns are full so you are directed back to Alberta. That might be fine if you’re a Jasper local, but as a visitor it might make more sense to figure out what you’re going to do with the rest of your holiday – which will depend on where you live and whether you’re driving or flying.
Free Wifi: Check out libraries in towns and cities for free access to computers and laptops.
Mental health: If you’re a Jasper evacuee, chances are you’re traumatized. If you need to talk, call the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 or Health Link at 811. You can also call 211 for mental health and wellness supports.
Getting a new job: Check out the bio of the Banff Centre Instagram account. They are putting a list together of Banff jobs with lodging for Jasper Wildfire evacuees – and they themselves are hiring.
Register for emergencies: Register through the MyAlberta Emergency Registration System.
Register with the Red Cross: You’ll want to register with the Red Cross so they can contact you while away from home. That way “you can be reached with information on Red Cross services and assistance that may become available to them during this difficult time.“
If your travel plans have been affected by the Jasper fire and they include airlines
WestJet – Visit the WestJet site if you’re traveling from Grand Prairie or Fort McMurray. Fee waivers apply but there may be charges related to changes in destinations or cabins.
Air Canada – Air Canada is offering help but only for those of you with Grand Prairie or Fort McMurray tickets. You can change your flight free of charge up to two hours before departure. More detailed information is here.
Porter Airlines – From a City News article, a spokesperson said “typically provide(s) passengers with the opportunity to postpone trips and rebook flights, or receive refunds, even if this isn’t normally available within their fare category.”
Insurance during wildfires
For insurance during the 2024 wildfire season the Insurance Bureau of Canada has put together a page worth reading. You can also phone 1-844-227-5422 or email AskIBCWest@IBC.ca which covers both the Western and Pacific regions.
Financial assistance during the Jasper fire
If you have to evacuate for more than a week – which will be the case for the Jasper fire – both Albertans and temporary foreign workers are eligible for a one time payment of $1250 per adult and $500 per child under 18. You can apply online for the money.
It would seem that the Jasper Fire is not on their list yet – perhaps because it hasn’t been a week, but I think it would be worth a call. The number for the Alberta Supports Centre is 1-800-644-9992 from 8:15 AM – 4:30 PM Monday to Friday.
Beware of scams after the Jasper fire
If you’ve been directly impacted by the Jasper fire, you’re operating under high stress conditions and may not be thinking as clearly. Do not be taken advantage of. Beware of messages via email and on all social media platforms.
If you’re trying your best to help financially, read the Better Business Bureau Tip – What to Know Before Donating to a Crowdfunding Cause.
Also, learn How to Spot a Scam. It’s unfortunate that there are people out there who think only of money – so beware.
Before you travel elsewhere check weather, fire and smoke advisories
For information on air quality and wildfire smoke information visit Environment Canada for current conditions.
Visit IQ Air for specific pollutants.
FireSmoke.ca shows you current and upcoming conditions across Canada.
Where can you camp now?
In this section I’m looking at the Jasper fire tragedy from the perspective of a displaced visitor who has had their holiday plans thrown into disarray.
If you did have front country or backcountry reservations in Jasper National Park, Parks Canada will be refunding your money up to August 6, 2024 – at least at this point. They say that once reopening is possible, they will have “to clean up all campsites and recall evacuated staff.”
All accommodation including camping is going to be tight near Banff and Kananaskis Country Alberta and in eastern British Columbia. But Alberta and BC are large provinces, so if you’re prepared to drive a little further you should have good luck.
Some things you can do to find a campsite after the Jasper fire
Check out Hipcamp. They rent to RVers and campers with tents across the country, often for a very reasonable fee.
Check out the Complete Guide to Finding Free Camping in Canada put out by Off Track Travel.
For British Columbia, read How to Go Camping in BC Without A Reservation, again by Off Track Travel
For Alberta read How to Get Campsites Without a Reservation in Alberta written by me.
For Parks Canada frontcountry reservations you could also look at Elk Island National Park, Glacier National Park, Mount Revelstoke, Waterton Lakes, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Further afield look at Grasslands and Prince Albert National Parks in Saskatchewan.
There are over 400 Alberta Parks, so you can count on cancellations to happen regularly. Again think of traveling further away from the Banff corridor. Check out some of the southern Alberta Parks like Castle and Beauvais Lake – where you often don’t even need a reservation. You can make online reservations in Alberta Parks.
Check out the list of private campgrounds in Alberta put together by Travel Alberta. There are 607 listings!
Visit Travel British Columbia for a list of private campgrounds.
What can you do now that you’ve lost your backcountry reservation in Jasper National Park thanks to the Jasper fire?
Check out How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations by Happiest Outdoors.
Parks Canada, Alberta Parks and BC Parks still have availability at backcountry campsites if you take the time to look. However, you need to be prepared to travel a little further away from the more popular zones. If there are specific campsites on specific dates you want – and they’re full, check out Schnerp as they monitor for cancellations.
For Parks Canada backcountry reservations you may have more luck now with people from afar cancelling reservations. Check out Banff, Waterton Lakes, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, along with Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Park. If you’re prepared to drive to Saskatchewan you could also check out Prince Albert National Park and Grasslands National Park.
In British Columbia, visit the BC Parks backcountry campsite page.
Going forward
If you have suggestions on how we can help the Jasper fire evacuees please leave a comment. I will add if appropriate. My heart truly goes out to all of you that have been impacted. It’s going to be a tough road ahead, but there is lots of support out there. Be sure to ask for it.