Jasper mayor: Interim housing is Alberta town’s biggest challenge for 2025 [Video]

Jasper is rebuilding after a massive summer wildfire destroyed about one-third of buildings in the Alberta mountain town.

Thousands of locals and tourists were forced to evacuate on July 22. Two days later the fire swept into town, destroying 358 buildings, equalling over 800 homes including apartment and condo units.

Residents weren’t allowed to return for more than three weeks. Morgan Kitchen, a 24-year-old firefighter, died when he was hit by a falling tree near Jasper on Aug. 3.

In a year-end interview, Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland tackles questions about his community’s wildfire response, coming to terms with personal loss, and rebuilding Jasper so that it is more resistant to future fires.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

It has been a difficult year for Jasper. People are dealing with loss. Some are still trying to come to terms with what happened. What sense are you getting now of people’s attitudes toward rebuilding?

I think that …