'As Jasper Faces Burned Landscapes, Summer Tourism Takes a Hit'

Jasper, Alta.—For 61 consecutive summers, visitors have flocked to Jasper’s SkyTram to admire the boomerang-shaped town cradled within the vast expanse of the Rocky Mountains. This tradition continues this year; however, the perspective from above will offer something new.

The red cable cars will skim over thousands of trees poking up from the ground like charred matchsticks. From the top, a third of the town’s structures have vanished from sight.

It doesn't change that Jasper is still open for business, and that’s what matters as the town prepares for its first summer since a runaway wildfire ripped through it last July.

"There are definitely encouraging indicators, however, we won't return to full capacity — this is evident," stated Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland.

This winter was quieter than usual, and the town, which depends on tourists, requires guests during the upcoming summer season. Although fewer eateries were operational, numerous ones plan to reopen once the snow disappears, according to a local entrepreneur.

Due to campsite closures and multiple hotels that were damaged in the fire, there will probably be reduced accommodation options for visitors. This could lead to a roughly 20 percent decrease in business income, as the Jasper Chamber of Commerce reportedly informed the town council lately.

Nonetheless, the community is welcoming tourists to come and visit.

The decision about refining that message sparked a delicate discussion last autumn, as mourning residents feared visitors might arrive merely to witness the destruction.

“The amount needed for balancing is decreasing,” stated Ireland, who has been the mayor of Jasper ever since it was established as a municipality in 2001. “Residents have had eight months to cope with their personal losses.”

Certain business proprietors anticipate their earnings will decline alongside the reduction in visitor numbers.

"Jasper needs tourists more than ever,” said Stavro Korogonas, owner of Jasper Pizza Place.

Korogonas lost his home due to the fire and has been residing in Kelowna, B.C., since August of last year, making trips to Jasper approximately every two weeks for work purposes. Both he and his spouse intend to return once temporary accommodation becomes accessible to them.

The past few months have been challenging for locals, he said. The initial excitement of returning has worn off, and the emotional toll of the destruction has cast a pall over the town. Many said they avoid travelling into the destroyed Cabin Creek neighbourhood.

“Nobody I've spoken with has shared a success story,” Korogonas stated. “Among my closest friends, we all know several individuals who have exhausted their resources while residing in Jasper.”

So far, no destroyed houses have been reconstructed; however, temporary living quarters arrived in the town via trucks back in February. The empty plots where foundations continued to smoke for over a week post-fire have now been covered with soil. A handful of burnt buildings remain standing, among them nearly century-old structure—an Anglican church—awaiting demolition.

Although one-third of the town's buildings were destroyed by the blaze, much of Jasper still stands unharmed. The majority of the area's business district remained unaffected, and the residential neighborhood located on the eastern part of town was likewise left undamaged.

Throughout the townsite, signs of nature's fury are clear. The edges of roads have been cleared to prevent fallen dead trees from blocking the highways, resulting in long lines of charred woodland laid out in heaps for roughly 30 kilometers south alongside the Icefields Parkway. Many remaining upright trees stand leafless.

The mayor mentioned that multiple campgrounds and hiking paths will be reopening soon; however, an official roster has yet to be published. Parks Canada declined to have representatives participate in an interview.

Jasper is not the only town to suffer from wildfires. In 2016, a blaze ravaged Fort McMurray, Alta., destroying approximately 2,400 houses—significantly more than the 318 buildings lost in Jasper.

However, the Jasper fire was the initial one to impact a town heavily dependent on tourism.

There's a prevailing attitude that the carnage can teach lessons to visitors on the impacts of climate change, how forests regenerate through wildfire and how towns can prepare.

"You can still observe and appreciate its beauty, yet the harsh truth lies just beside," remarked Paulette Dubé, a local author and former educator. During autumn, she initiated a project alongside the community library, gathering artwork and writings from residents of Jasper reflecting on the devastation.

Everything appears dark and devastated, charred to ashes. In my opinion, this is quite an opportune moment to visit and witness this scene, as you have the chance to make those comparisons firsthand. You get to watch Jasper rebuild from the very beginning.

Ireland also indicated that the scenery offers a "chance for education" to those who visit.

I believe there will now be guided tours utilizing this altered terrain to inform visitors curious about wildfires in the area. It might not have been our intended outcome, yet it presents a specific kind of opportunity.

Even though visitors might not encounter the city’s decay, they will be met with vistas of the scorched woodland encircling the town from every direction.

"Honestly speaking, look up since the mountains remain unchanged. Rotate your head and observe the opposite direction—there are still trees," Dubé stated.

“But it’s really good to have that reminder that we are not the gods. We are not the kings of this place. We’re just sort of scurrying around at the foot of these giants, and they’re the ones who decide whether there’s going to be fire or not.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2025.

Matthew Scace from The Canadian Press

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