As crews continue to battle the out-of-control wildfire tearing through Jasper National Park and the Jasper Townsite, residents have been forced out of their homes fleeing to Calgary, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie.
In response, the City of Grande Prairie enacted the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership to support evacuees in the city. Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton issued a message of support and solidarity for those evacuated in Grande Prairie, saying Jasper is a home away from home for many in the swan city.
“Observing the images and knowing the awful experience that the residents and business owners of Jasper are going through, our heart goes out to them,” she says. “Grande Prairie really treats Jasper as its mountain community, this is a community that we visit for fun, recreation, people get married there, you go hiking, you go skiing, you go shopping, it’s really part of what people enjoy about living in northern Alberta.”
“Jasper holds a very dear spot in our hearts and it’s an absolute nightmare what the business owners and the people of Jasper are going through.”
Clayton maintains that Grande Prairie is committed to helping the evacuees to the best of the city’s ability, reminding the displaced residents of the resources available to them during their time in GP.
“We’re supporting as best we can, we still have our evacuation check-in centre open, we encourage residents to go to Bonnetts and check-in, and from there, you get situated with accommodation,” she says. “If you get there after hours, there’s a note on the door with information for how you can contact us.”
Grande Prairie has hosted numerous communities as they battle wildfires at home, including last year with evacuees from the Northwest Territories, and earlier this year with residents from Teepee Creek. Mayor Clayton suggests that the city and its council understand its important role as a regional hub, and will continue to serve as needed.
“This is not unique to the Grande Prairie region, it appears to be somewhat of a new reality, in the past few years we’ve definitely seen a surge of emergency situations, [and] we’ve talked about what a dry environment could mean for future fires,” she says. “GPREP is equipped with incredible people and resources to be able to facilitate the needs, as a regional hub, we understand our role in supporting not only the municipalities that are adjacent to us, but sometimes municipalities from afar, supporting Yellowknife last year and Jasper this year.”
Mayor Clayton held back tears as she delivered a message of solidarity to those affected by the devastation, asking Grande Prairie residents to embrace Jasper as neighbours and friends during this difficult time.
“I just would say that our hearts go out to you, it’s a really difficult time and we’re here to support you as best we can, whether it’s through fire department resources or facilities or people, truly we embrace Jasper, it’s a special place to us and we’re really sorry for what you’re going through.”
Anyone affected by the wildfires in Jasper is asked to check into the Evacuee Reception Centre in Grande Prairie, located at Bonnetts Energy Centre, to receive assistance from the city.
