Albertans stepped up during a wildfire season that put provincial resources to the test but nonetheless decimated Jasper municipality, the legislature heard Oct. 28.
The destruction of about a third of the townsite and about 32,000 hectares of the park that surrounds it broke hearts around the world, said Martin Long, the UCP member for West Yellowhead.
“Seeing this destruction occur in Jasper, a place where families from across Alberta, Canada and the world have made cherished memories, was heart wrenching,” Long said. “In this challenging time we saw our province come together, united in support of Jasper.”
Long, whose riding includes the Municipality of Jasper and the national park itself, continued: “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our brave first responders and the collective action of our communities, all residents were evacuated safely, and many are now able to return home as we focus on recovery and rebuilding. To consider, on that horrific night in July, the bravery, fortitude and selflessness of the first responders, is overwhelming.”
He honoured “the incredible spirit of Albertans in the face of adversity.”
The UCP’s Scott Sinclair said he’s seen first-hand Alberta’s response to wildfires in Slave Lake, particularly in 2011 when one damaged or destroyed about a third of his hometown.
“While this last wildfire season has been challenging for Albertans, we’ve also witnessed Alberta’s remarkable resilience and community spirit,” said Sinclair, the member for Lesser Slave Lake. “In the face of tragedy the province united to support affected communities, with Albertans from all corners coming together to help displaced residents and to help combat the fires.”
Todd Loewen, minister of forestry and parks, said Alberta was able to limit the total area burned in Alberta to about 700,000 hectares, down 1.5 million hectares from 2.2 million the year before. Through a $155 million boost in wildfire preparation, Alberta added frontline responders, air tankers, heavy equipment, and helicopters equipped with night-vision technology.
At the season’s peak in July, Alberta had 1,900 personnel, over 150 helicopters and 23 air tankers ready to act, said Loewen, the member for Central Peace-Notley. Alberta also implemented a unified command approach with municipalities across the province, thanks to the Emergency Statutes Amendment Act passed earlier this year, he said.
The UCP government put $14 million into a community fireguard program to help 21 communities with fire prevention. It paid a share of 75 FireSmart projects throughout the province worth $7.1 million, “and these are only some of the things we’re doing,” Loewen said.
When it comes to wildfire fighting command in Alberta, published reports identify the Jasper wildfire — actually a complex of fires including two that converged on the municipality in late July — as an outlier. The province’s decision-making was limited because it wasn’t part of a unified command set up the federal government, the UCP has said.