Before and after Jasper wildfire photos depict extent of damage to village nestled in Canada’s natural crown jewel

Dubbed by locals as Alberta’s playground, Jasper National Park is a crown jewel of Canada’s natural landscapes with its reputation drawing visits from royalty, Hollywood elite and nature lovers from far and wide.

Hot, dry conditions across western Canada sparked hundreds of fires across western Canada in July, and on the evening of July 22, Alberta authorities issued an emergency alert for the park as well as the municipality of Jasper, warning of the threat from a wildfire south of the town.

Over 20,000 residents and tourists fled the village — many detailing a journey along smoke-choked mountain roads as ash and soot rain fell over them.

READ MORE: Fire continues raging in town of Jasper, but key infrastructure OK, officials say

The following morning, the extent of damage the colossal wildfire caused became clear.

“Like all residents, I feel devastated, shattered and absolutely helpless in the face of nature,” said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland the morning after a massive wall of fire roared through the mountain village.

James Eastham, a Parks Canada wildfire information officer, said firefighters were faced with a wall of flame over Monday night that proved impossible to contain.

It wasn’t until Friday, July 26 that the village was deemed safe enough for officials and media crews to enter and view the extent of damage caused by the blaze.

Cornerstones of Jasper’s community before and after wildfire

Parks Canada has estimated 30 per cent of Jasper township’s structures were damaged, and a map of the town indicating which properties suffered damage was released on Saturday afternoon.

After officials toured the town, it became evident that both the mayor and the Jasper fire chief’s homes were among the casualties of the blaze.

“We grew up here… a family of five kids and our parents, and just about always at least one grandparent was living with us,” the 69-year-old told the media.

Below, we have gathered photos of cornerstones of the Jasper community before and after the wildfire roared through the town.

Jasper Maligne Lodge

Karyn Decore, whose family has owned Maligne Lodge for over 60 years, is mourning the loss of their hotel establishment and is heartbroken for her staff — many of whom come from countries around the world. The lodge was among the buildings burned Wednesday night.

St. Mary & St. George Anglican Church

The St. Mary & St. George Anglican Church, a community fixture since 1923, was destroyed in the recent wildfires. In 2005, during their visit to Alberta and Saskatchewan, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attended a Sunday congregation at the Jasper church.

L&W Family Restaurant

A long-operating Greek restaurant in the townsite has been destroyed by fire. On its website, L&W family-owned restaurant says it began in the 1970s as a single-room kitchen in the back of a gas station. Its building had a distinctive glass front in the dining area.

Homes along Cabin Creek Drive

When officials toured Jasper in the wake of the wildfire, the group was driven to Cabin Creek Drive, where a swath of homes had been annihilated. Disfigured pieces of gray and black metal scraps were scattered everywhere.

Connaught Dr. Petro Canada

The Petro Canada located on Connaught Drive was a popular hotspot for tourists to tank up and load up on snacks before hitting the mountain roads.

Animal habitat

As officials and media performed their first walkthroughs of Jasper on Friday, details are emerging about how wildlife in the area fared amid the fire.

“Amidst the ashes, life finds a way Just like the community of Jasper, Jasper National Park’s wildlife will rebound from this crisis. In the face of flames, the extraordinary instincts of wildlife, like bears and elk, guide them to safety,” Jasper National Park, Parks Canada shared in Tweet.