Jasper wildfire recovery: the complex rebuild happening above and below the town's streets two years on from disaster

Rebuilding Jasper after the July 2024 wildfires means more than a return of tourists and international visitors. Two years on from the disaster, the town continues to rebuild – both with housing and the repair of infrastructure hidden beneath the streets.

Douglas Olthof, the Municipality of Jasper’s director of recovery, told Postmedia this work is where some of the most complicated recovery challenges lie.

“Until something like this happens, you don’t really think about it,” Olthof said, talking about the municipal systems residents rarely see like wastewater, electrical infrastructure, drainage, debris removal, and the networks connecting homes and businesses.

The town was fortunate not to lose its water treatment plant in the blaze, he said, noting the fire came “dangerously” close.

Jasper became the first fire-affected community in Canada to engage in property-specific soil testing to demonstrate residential sites were not contaminated by combustion. Olthof said this approach added steps and costs, but also created an opportunity for Jasper to become an example for other communities facing similar disasters.

Olthof said some of the soil testing costs were covered by funding made available by Parks Canada through the Canadian Red Cross, helping address additional expenses associated with the process.

“Out of a disaster, a chance to be a national example and leader,” he added.

The municipality is currently replacing damaged curb stops and shut-off valves neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Crews have also been inspecting storm drains with cameras to identify debris and ensure the drainage system remains operational. The work has exposed the complexity of maintaining infrastructure developed incrementally over decades.

“Jasper is not a greenfield development,” Olthof said. “It’s a blend of greenfield and infill development.”

Infrastructure has been added and modified over many years, leaving questions about ownership, responsibility and how best to coordinate repairs.

The recovery provides an opportunity to consider the bigger picture, however, it must be balanced against the need to restore existing systems and get residents home.

“It’s this delicate dance of having the best possible plan, but managing what’s already existing,” he said adding almost 100 sites are still active in the recovery process.

When asked how the overall recover efforts were progressing, he said: “It’s about where we hoped to be two years ago, and going as well as could be expected.”

Housing in Jasper remains a major priority. Most of the buildings lost in the fire were residential, and reconstruction continues to focus on restoring that supply. One major apartment building recently received occupancy approval, adding 45 front doors to Jasper’s housing stock.

When it comes to the town’s commercial recovery, Olthof said it follows a different timeline to that of the residential recovery, with some of the greatest commercial losses having occurred in the industrial area.

“Projects can face longer rebuilding periods, different insurance arrangements and other challenges.”

On Sept. 1, the Federal government, Alberta government and the Town of Jasper announced more than $7.9 million to recommission an existing wastewater lagoon. This funding will be put towards improving Jasper’s wastewater storage capacity during peak flows and reducing their risk of overflows during power outages, maintenance or other disruptions.

Meanwhile, the municipality is asking residents to help shape Jasper’s future through its new Town Plan. A public survey running this fall seeks input on community values, planning priorities and preferences.

The plan will eventually replace the 2011 Jasper Community Sustainability Plan and guide decisions involving housing, transportation, parks, community services, tourism and future development.

Residents can have their say on in an online survey by October 25. Complete the online survey and learn more about the project here: engagejasper.ca/town-plan.

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