A group of volunteers from B.C. and Alberta have travelled to the Town of Jasper to help with recovery efforts after a devastating wildfire.
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led organization that will be in the town over the next few weeks conducting reconnaissance, site surveys and damage assessments of the homes affected by the wildfire.
“So many people have lost so much, but knowing that we’re here to be able to give a little bit of hope and help people start that recovery is incredibly powerful,” says Josh Bowen, vice-president of organizational excellence at Team Rubicon.
The municipality requested the volunteers help kickstart recovery efforts and help speed up the long road ahead.
"We're here right now supporting the community, preparing for re-entry, and working through some of that process,” says Bowen.
A third of the town was lost after a wildfire was sparked by a lightning strike on July 22. Thousands of residents and tourists were forced out of Jasper and the wildfire left a scorched landscape behind.
358 structures lost
"There's been 358 structures that have been lost. And there, are hundreds of people that have been displaced because of that,” says Bowen.
Currently, there are 13 Team Rubicon members in Jasper but that number will scale up to 40 by the end of the week, and they will start sifting and recovery operations. The volunteers have a variety of different skills and come from different careers including veterans, first responders and skilled civilians.
“The vast majority [of people] are from Alberta and B.C., we have some people as far away as New Brunswick here supporting,” says Bowen.
Team Rubicon volunteers offer their time by conducting a "sifting service," which is for people who have properties affected by fires. The organization has 3,600 volunteers across the country, but their primary focus is Jasper.
Sifting is a process for helping residents recover personal effects by meticulously sifting through the ash and rubble of destroyed homes to reunite families with cherished valuables.
The work is intended to provide a sense of closure and hope amid the devastation.
“We've met with lots of different people from the community, and they're sort of eager to start that recovery process, that personal recovery process and being able to move forward with their lives,” he says.
The Municipality of Jasper said only trained professionals can go behind the fencing on damaged properties due to the hazardous materials in the area being dangerous.
"Team Rubicon Canada are trained in how to handle them safely," says a spokesperson. "Safety is our number one priority, and we appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process."
The community is coming together during this time trying to help each other out and supporting each other.
“One of the most amazing things about this community is the amount of hope and the amount of true community that exists in this town,” he says.
"Jasper's a very tight-knit community, and everybody here is trying to help each other, and for us, it's really the ability to come in and help people in need.”
Team Rubicon is expected to be in Jasper for at least three weeks, but may remain longer.
Jasper National Park remains closed to visitors and a state of local emergency remains in effect.
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