Mike Day experienced a range of emotions in the wake of the wildfire devastation in Jasper. “There’s moments of tears, and then there’s moments of laughter, and then there’s moments of gratitude, where no one lost life. So that’s incredibly important,” he shared in a phone interview with The Epoch Times.
While his home was lost during the initial phase of the fire, Day expressed relief that his restaurant, Evil Dave’s, was still standing after 17 years of operation. “It feels like we’ve lost everything in the sense of, you know, raised five children, and we have grandchildren. The house was filled with all those memories, all those touchstones, collected over the years.”
Despite the significant loss of a third of the town’s homes and businesses, Day remains optimistic about rebuilding and reopening his restaurant. He emphasized the community’s ability to come together during this challenging time.
For members of the Anglican Church community in Jasper, the news was equally distressing as their church and most congregation members’ homes were consumed by the flames. “All but two in our congregation have lost their homes. Most of us cannot return. There is nowhere for us to land,” shared people’s warden Nancy Addison.
Brett Ireland, co-owner of Jasper Brewing Company, drew parallels to a previous wildfire experience in Fort McMurray as he navigated the aftermath in Jasper. Despite facing uncertainties about the extent of damage to their new distiller restaurant, Ireland remained hopeful about the future.
Rachel Bailey, a resident from England who recently opened a restaurant in Jasper, expressed her love for the town and determination to rebuild despite the devastating loss. She recounted the chaotic evacuation night and the uncertainty surrounding the fate of her business.
Premier Danielle Smith confirmed the extent of the damage on July 26, with a significant number of structures destroyed in Jasper. The community faces a challenging road to recovery, but the resilience and dedication of its members offer hope for the future.
The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
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