Jasper Fire Destroys Precious Memories, Forest and Homes

Dark clouds are rising from raging fires Jasper National Park Mountain smells aren’t just those of charred wood and scorched earth. For thousands of Canadians and mountain enthusiasts around the world, it’s the smell of cherished memories going up in smoke.

“It’s a huge amount of history and memory that’s now lost,” said Alexis Keinlen, an Edmonton writer who recalls a friend’s wedding in the winter of 2015.

Before the ceremony, the group gathered in the evening on the shores of Lake Agnes on the grounds of the Jasper The Park Lodge, now at least partially burned. They would cuddle mugs of hot chocolate around roaring fires or strap on skates for a spin on the ice.

The darkness of the lake and the clarity of the sky seemed “otherworldly,” she said.

“We could see all the stars above us. It was really big.

“A friend of mine named her child Jasper.”

1:04
Video from inside Jasper shows devastation caused by wildfires

Ten years ago, Kelley Ware was living in Prince George, B.C., and her current husband was living in Edmonton. Every few weeks, they would meet in Jasper.

“It was absolutely fundamental to building our relationship. My husband has a tattoo of Pyramid Mountain.”

For Janet Millar, the memories go back generations.

In 1948, his great-grandfather was on a road construction crew in Jasper when he noticed land for sale around Lake Edith. He and his wife drove around the lake, picked their favourite spot and the following year built the cabin that has been in the family ever since.

“It’s the smell of an old log cabin that’s been served a lot of bacon, pancakes and syrup. It’s the sight of old furniture that no one can bring themselves to part with,” she said.

“In my family, each of my friends has their own favorite thing. I love so many things that I can’t bring myself to part with them.”

Social media was flooded Thursday with memories of proposals, weddings and honeymoons in Jasper. But the town is steeped in memories of all kinds.

There are the generations of skiers who partied at the Whistle Stop pub or the Athabasca Hotel, known locally as the Atha-B and a fixture since 1929.

Get the latest national news

For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens.

By providing your email address, you have read and agreed to Global News’ Terms of Use. Terms and conditions And Privacy Policy.

Families who enjoyed daytime adventures at Smitty’s. Vacationers from around the world who met and chatted in hotel hot tubs.

The faithful of the gracious Anglican Church of St. Mary and St. George, who have gathered since 1928 to praise God amidst some of His finest works.

The classic fieldstone headquarters of Parks Canada, across from where Via Rail’s Rocky Mountaineer passengers disembarked to take in the view.

The cheeky fiberglass statue of Jasper the friendly bear, rubbed and polished since the 60s by the hands of children.

The roadside elk grazes peacefully, charming visitors as they exit Highway 16 into town.

The great and the famous are also part of Jasper’s memory.

Movie star Marilyn Monroe, in town with co-star Robert Mitchum to film the 1954 western The River of No Returnwas escorted out of the Jasper Park Lodge dining room for inappropriate dress.

That same year saw the release of The Far Countryfor which the Lodge welcomed Jimmy Stewart.

Bing Crosby was there in 1946 to film The Emperor’s Waltz and returned regularly to play golf on the Lodge’s renowned course.

Anthony Hopkins and John Travolta have vacationed there.

Royalty first visited in 1939, when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, stayed at the Outlook Cottage at Jasper Park Lodge.

Their daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, stayed there with her husband Prince Phillip in 2005.

But Jasper’s memories aren’t primarily of glitz and bling. It’s a place that’s for everyone.

“Our family had a dock that was always painted yellow,” Millar said.

“We all remember jumping off the pier and seeing people coming out of town and using it. It was always very special. It was heartwarming for us to see people enjoying the pier.”

Ware remembers this communion.

“Starting up conversations with people and chatting for an hour. Making friends with the bartenders. And feeling like you belong to a group.”

2:28
Fire destroys properties in Jasper, first responders evacuate to Hinton

As of Thursday morning, Parks Canada said the fire remained out of control despite a small amount of rain that fell overnight. Firefighter reinforcements had arrived to defend the town.

“While we understand that people are desperate to know the status of our community, homes, workplaces, businesses and treasured places, we will need some time to stabilize this incident while we access and assess the structures,” the agency said in a statement.

“We appreciate your patience and the community of people who have come together to support the people of Jasper and the Parks Canada family.”

© 2024 The Canadian Press