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37m ago

Jasper Report Warns Alberta Government Hindered Wildfire Response

The after-action review highlights that provincial interference diverted incident commanders from firefighting into managing information requests, proposing two dozen measures to define jurisdiction boundaries.

Premier Danielle Smith, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis observing wildfire damage in Jasper, Alta. on Friday, July 26, 2024.
A worker walks in a devastated neighbourhood in west Jasper, Alberta on Monday, Aug.19, 2024.The Municipality of Jasper says strings attached to the Alberta government's $112 million interim housing plan would mean less than half of the housing units promised months ago would actually be built in the fire-ravaged town.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken
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A large wildfire destroyed one-third of the buildings in Jasper, Alta., nearly a year ago.

Overview

  • The Municipality of Jasper released its after-action report on July 17, assessing last summer’s wildfire that destroyed one-third of the town’s buildings.
  • The report praises the strong integrated command established by the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada for its operational effectiveness.
  • It criticizes the Alberta government for regularly requesting information and seeking decision-making authority, which distracted incident commanders.
  • About two dozen recommendations call for clearer definitions of municipal, provincial and federal jurisdictions to avoid future overlap.
  • The review urges streamlined leadership roles and enhanced interagency communication and training for more efficient wildfire response and recovery.