Jasper is home, but after the wildfire, I have to say goodbye
The devastation caused by the wildfire in Jasper, Alta., has left the community broken and in ruins. As one of the residents whose home was destroyed in the fire, I have experienced firsthand the heartbreak and despair that comes with losing everything you hold dear.
The Pine Grove Manor, where I lived along with 32 other residents, was reduced to ashes in a matter of minutes. We stood together, watching as disaster-recovery experts sifted through the rubble, hoping to salvage some small piece of our former lives. For me, the search was a desperate attempt to find my most precious possessions: my mother’s Bible and the red cardigan she had knit for me years ago.
As the hours passed, the mood shifted between optimism and despair. Each moment felt like a battle to reclaim a sense of dignity in the face of overwhelming loss. Watching Team Rubicon search for our belongings felt like trying to salvage a scrap of hope in the midst of a tragedy.
Jasper has always held a special place in my heart. I first fell in love with the town in 1980, and after years of traveling and living elsewhere, I returned in 2008 with the intention of making it my permanent home. However, the housing shortage and subsequent challenges made it difficult to find stability in Jasper.
The wildfire that destroyed my home felt like a sudden and devastating breakup with the town I loved. With almost everything I owned reduced to ashes, I was left with a sense of displacement and uncertainty about the future.
The road ahead is uncertain, but I am grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity from the community and beyond. While I may never be able to return to the Jasper I once knew, I am hopeful that I will find a new place to call home.
As I search for a new beginning, I am reminded that home is where the heart is. And even though my heart may be broken, I know that there is still love and hope in the world. Wherever I end up, a piece of my heart will always belong to Jasper, the town that will forever hold a special place in my soul.
