Residents of fire-ravaged Jasper enter new year with hope, anxiety
CBC
This year, Kim Stark's kids took responsibility for decorating the family Christmas tree.
Ornaments include toy cars, puzzle pieces, string and a pair of binoculars — things her three young daughters had handy after the family lost their home in summer's devastating wildfire in Jasper, Alta.
"I have the most wonderful tree on the planet," Stark said. "It's part of our story and part of who we are.
"If [the kids] are happy, I'm happy."
Stark is part of the fabric of the Jasper townsite, a 10-year member of the fire department and owner of a coffee shop and bakery.
Her family, plus three furry pets and a fish, are living in a condo as they navigate rebuilding their home.
"[The kids] miss our house, and we talk about our house," Stark said.
"We make sure we go to our neighbourhood, so that it doesn't become somebody else's neighbourhood."
Stark and other residents are anxious and nervous for the future following the fire that hit the town July 24.
About 5,000 residents and 20,000 visitors were safely evacuated before the fire breached the western edge of town and destroyed 350 homes and businesses, including 820 housings units. The Insurance Bureau of Canada pegged the damage at $880 million.
Six months after the fire, debris is still being cleared — lot by lot.
Locals including Stark are quick to say things could have been worse.
But anxiety over temporary living situations and what may be a long and slow rebuild process has many residents and municipal leaders feeling unsettled heading into 2025.
For Sabrina Charlebois and David Leoni, the top concern is the Alberta government's $112-million modular housing project. It's to put up 250 pre-built rental units in the town and rent them to those displaced by the fire.
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