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rom the forests around Jasper, elk, moose and sometimes even the occasional bear come to visit the picturesque Canadian town, while the


heady scent of pine constantly wafts through the streets. In summer 2024, however, it was fire that came from the forest and proceeded to destroy a third of the Alberta town, known as a good base from which to explore the Canadian Rockies. Following a long period of hot and dry weather,


wildfires began near the town on July 22 and were finally brought under control almost seven weeks later. Since then, there has been a remarkable effort to help the town – and its tourism industry – recover.


RESCUE AND REBUILD “This town is used to serving visitors,” says Matricia Brown of Jasper-based Indigenous tour operator Warrior Women. “But when the fire came, we served each other.”


DESTINATIONS JASPER | CANADA


One year on from devastating wildfires, the Canadian town of Jasper is making strides towards recovery, finds Olly Beckett


That community spirit continues and is still very much needed today. On the edges of Jasper and into some of the downtown blocks, there are gaps where buildings once stood, but you’d have to be familiar with the town to spot the missing links. A year on, downtown is buzzing and the bars and


restaurants are full of locals and visitors. Hotels too are thriving again, with occupancy this summer at an average of 96%. Several hotels burned down in the fire, but two are being rebuilt and set to open in 2027.


TOWN AND COUNTRY The wild landscape that Jasper is known for is also experiencing a rebirth. “Aspen trees are returning in abundance, and some are already a couple of metres tall,” says Jeff Hanson, a guide from local operator SunDog Transportation and Tours, during an Ecology of Fire tour. “The fire is just part of the natural cycle – although this was a particularly intense fire.”


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